Member-only story
Why Billy Porter’s ‘HIV Coming Out’ Matters So Much
HIV in 2021, Living Truth and the Gay Community
I’ve known Billy Porter for a very long time. We’re both native Pittsburghers, CMU alumni, and share a dozen friends. But, like much of the fan world, I was floored to learn that the Tony, Grammy, Emmy-winning man has been carrying the weight of his HIV-positive status as a secret since 2007.
When my oldest son was just two years old, in 1996, we were invited to a barbecue at my friend Doug’s house. Doug wore a plastic brace to keep his spine stable, since it was deteriorating badly as a result of the neurological effects of his advanced HIV-AIDS. When we arrived at the house, Doug’s partner was so happy to see us. “He’s upstairs, not feeling so well today,” he said, “but he’ll be thrilled to see you.” I knew it would be one of the last days we would spend with Doug.
A bit later, while out on the brick patio, chatting with other guests and watching our toddler son roll a ball back and forth in the sunshine, a man we’d just met said, “It’s so great that you brought your boy. Not everyone would do that.”
I must have looked thoroughly confused when I said, “Well, yeah…of course.”
He quickly added, “You know, around so many gay men. Not a lot of people are okay with that.”
