Scarred by Stigma - Earnest

Earnest, 51 | Hattiesburg, Miss. Earnest fought in Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. After his HIV diagnosis, he attempted suicide and was in a coma for several months. The lip-like scar on his cheek and the lengthy gash on his arm are a result of the attempt. Life continues to be a struggle. 'I can take the blood, the bullets, the bombs, but I can't take it when people look me in the face and say, 'You've got that thang.' You don't know how many times in the last two, three years I've heard that.' Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5