Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 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.
Do you have a lifelong dream you secretly suspect will never come true? Maybe it's learning to fly an airplane or backpacking through Europe or running the Boston Marathon. For Robert L. Sheeley, that enduring fantasy was writing the great American novel. But it wasn't until the Cleveland native was diagnosed with HIV at 34 that he took his first steps toward turning his aspiration into reality. Today, after years of writing, pitching to publishers, rewriting, and countless other challenges, Sheeley's dream has come to fruition. His debut novel, Rainbow Plantation Blues, has been published. How did Rainbow Plantation Blues come about? I was diagnosed with HIV in August 2002, and up to that point my priority in life was sex with hot men. But finding out I had HIV made me rearrange those priorities. Writing a novel was a dream I'd had my whole life but never really thought would come true. Why do you think it took learning that you had HIV to finally turn that dream into reality? For a lot of people, when they find out they have HIV, they sort of give up on living and they give up on their dreams. For me, it was the opposite; it was a wake-up call. It forced me to slow down, take a step back, and focus on what truly was important in my life. The book explores an American slave owner's same-sex relationship with one of his slaves. Why did that theme appeal to you? I'm a history buff, particularly American history and the era of slavery. And I always thought to myself, I wonder if slave masters were screwing around with the men as well as the women? It makes sense that some were, but it had never been discussed before. It seemed to be a story that's never been told but needed to be. You acknowledge in the author's bio in the book that you have HIV. Why is it important for you to let readers know that? A lot of people living with HIV are closeted about it, ashamed of themselves, feeling alone. They need concrete examples of the fact that we still can'and do''have goals and dreams. We still can work to realize them and shatter self-induced and societal myths about our plights. I want others to know that if I can do it, then so can they''no matter what!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lexi Love comes out as HIV+ after Trump deletes federal resources
January 23 2025 11:23 AM
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 PM
Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources
January 31 2025 5:29 PM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
This long-term HIV survivor says testosterone therapy helped save his life.
December 16 2024 8:00 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
500,000 Children at Risk: PEPFAR Funding Crisis
April 08 2025 3:51 PM
Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes
April 03 2025 7:15 PM
The Talk Season 5 premieres this spring with HIV guidance for the newly diagnosed
March 26 2025 1:00 PM
Discover the power of Wellness in your life
March 26 2025 12:41 PM
Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring
March 26 2025 12:20 PM
Jess King is here to help you live your happiest, healthiest life yet
March 24 2025 4:35 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Trump admin moves to end federal HIV prevention programs
March 18 2025 6:10 PM
Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times
March 11 2025 3:38 PM
Celebrating Black History Month with our annual African American issue
February 01 2025 3:28 PM
Tyler TerMeer vows to continue to fight for health care for all
January 28 2025 3:00 PM
Plus nominated for 2025 GLAAD Media Award
January 22 2025 12:42 PM
A camp for HIV-positive kids is for sale. Here's why its founder is celebrating
January 02 2025 12:21 PM
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Trinity K Bonet quietly comes out trans
December 15 2024 6:27 PM
AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed at White House for the first time
December 02 2024 1:21 PM
Decades of progress, uniting to fight HIV/AIDS
December 01 2024 12:30 PM
Hollywood must do better on HIV representation
December 01 2024 9:00 AM
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
Meet ​our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM