Co-Founder & Executive Director of Plus Life Media
What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
I’ve always been interested in people and real stories. As far back as I can remember, real true-life stories fascinated me and grabbed my interest. That passion for truth and real curiosity in what makes people tick naturally drew me towards journalism.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
I wrote a piece for WebMD about HIV stigma, which I would rate as one of my favorites. Fortunately, much of my “journalism” work has been done on camera for television or online, allowing me to express my true personality while having amazing experiences with amazing people. So, when it comes to favorites amongst those stories, I would say swimming with sharks in Mexico and sitting down with the late Rev. Steve Pieters to talk about HIV and religion.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
I believe my responsibility in journalism is to tell the truth and be as impartial as I can be, no matter the story I am covering. I am fortunate in that I can direct a lot of my focus on queer subjects and subjects that relate directly to the queer community. HIV is one such topic that I am incredibly focused on. As I am a person living with HIV, the issues that relate to it, such as stigma, efforts towards a cure, access and equitable care, and ensuring that people know the FACTS about what it means to live with HIV in this day and age, are significant to me. Therefore, I feel I am responsible for covering stories and topics that are important to my community.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
I absolutely believe that I have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQIA+ history and culture. While much of my focus is on destigmatizing HIV and educating the masses through my journalism, I believe it is incredibly vital to preserve and remind people of where we have come from. Preserving the stories that show our resilience is equally crucial as informing people about how far we’ve come because of the blood, sweat, tears, and sequins of those who fought before us.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
We are living in unprecedented times when the press, especially in the US, is constantly being undermined and threatened. How we get our “news” these days keeps changing and evolving at lightning speed. Checks and balances that historically have been the norm are no longer in place when EVERYONE thinks they are a journalist. We eat up opinion news in a 24/7 cycle. Panels of “experts” are weighing in on current events, giving opinions rather than impartial facts. That, to me, is incredibly dangerous. It is because of this situation that I remain passionate about journalism.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
One of the best pieces of advice I was given from a producer at ABC7 in Los Angeles when I first started was, “It’s not about you. People aren’t tuning it because of you. They’re watching because they want the story.” The story matters. Your opinion shouldn’t come into play if you are writing or producing a pure journalism piece. The facts and the truth are what should guide you. The story is the star.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
Working in journalism and seeking out the truth have made me more compassionate and open-minded to other people’s points of view. Whether I agree with their points of view doesn’t come into play, but the ability to stop and listen and consider them has positively impacted my personal life.
Do you have any future goals or projects you would like to share with us?
I am incredibly passionate about fighting HIV stigma and continuing to help educate people about what it means to live with HIV. Through Plus Life (@pluslifemedia) we are doing just that. I want to keep building upon what we’ve done so far so that we can end HIV.
