Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Ms. Plus America pageant celebrates plus-size women as beautiful contributors to society, and its newest winner is an HIV-positive woman who is taking that message of female unity even further. 'I am hoping that by sharing that we can tear down the walls of being stigmatized,' says Michelle Anderson, who was crowned Ms. Plus America 2011 and plans to use her title to cross boundaries between women who are HIV-positive and those who aren't. The crown sits on her LIVING ROOM? FIREPLACE? mantle, but it has given Anderson access to tell her story in 'rooms that I couldn't go in just being HIV-positive.' Anderson, who works to help women and girls learn about HIV prevention, is a lead peer educator and programs assistant at the Afiya Center for HIV Prevention and Sexual Reproductive Justice in Dallas. The new Ms. Plus America, who has been positive since 1999, remembers first feeling the stigma that comes with the disease'an experience she hopes to help others avoid by telling her story to as many people as will listen. 'When I was first diagnosed, I was in a treatment facility, and this might be gross to you, but women go through their thing monthly and someone apparently had dropped some blood on the toilet seat,' she remembers. 'Guess who you think they made go clean it up? Me.' Anderson remembers saying, 'That's not mine.' But it didn't matter. 'To be cautious, they asked me to do it. What was that about? That really made me feel low and worthless.' The memory of moments like that motivated her to carry on whenever she felt like giving up the pageant work'the group dance numbers to learn and the interviews to prepare for. A friend spoke up and reminded her, 'You can't quit, because every time you walk across this stage, you are walking across the stage for every HIV-positive woman who can't say that they're positive.'
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Discover endless fun at The Pride Store: Games & electronics for all ages
April 09 2024 4:25 PM
Mean Girls' Daniel Franzese on playing an HIV+ character
April 09 2024 3:57 PM
HIV-positive Air Force, Navy servicemembers victorious in lawsuit
April 09 2024 3:02 PM
Unlocking a new level of beauty with Dr Botanicals' ethical skincare line
April 08 2024 3:40 PM
Unleash your wild side with The Pride Store’s beginner’s guide to kink
April 08 2024 3:35 PM
Why are mpox cases in the U.S. on the rise again?
April 08 2024 1:30 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
Adult entertainment icons Derek Kage & Cody Silver lead fight for free speech
April 03 2024 3:06 PM
LGBTQ+ patients twice as likely to face discrimination: survey
April 02 2024 4:57 PM
Spring into The Pride Store’s top new arrivals for April
April 02 2024 4:39 PM
Nashville PD Must Pay HIV-Positive Man Denied a Job
April 01 2024 6:22 PM
Common has a message on how to foster self-love
March 29 2024 7:33 PM
Listen to Dr. Levine: Take syphilis seriously
March 28 2024 6:40 PM
Breaking boundaries in gender-free fashion with Stuzo Clothing
March 27 2024 2:15 PM
Find your perfect fit with gender-inclusive fashion from The Pride Store
March 26 2024 2:16 PM
Sexual assault survivor Stephen Hart uses theater to heal
March 25 2024 5:52 PM
Prohibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM