
Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 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.
David Bromstad, the host of HGTV's Color Splash, wants everyone to know their HIV status. To elevate public awareness about the importance of regular testing, the celebrity designer is teaming up with Janssen Therapeutics to promote the 'Know Yourself: Get HIV Tested' initiative. Drawing upon his art skills, the Miami-based Bromstad will create a mural to be unveiled at an event in September in New York City in recognition of National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. How did you get involved with 'Know Yourself: Get HIV Tested?' I had the honor of appearing in an HIV educational video with Janssen Therapeutics, and that's where we linked up. It was a nice transition from doing the video and talking about something I was very passionate about to doing something I'm very passionate about. What's great about this is that I'll be able to help get the word out in the way I know best'through creative means. What are your hopes for the program? I want people to be encouraged and know that getting tested is just something they need to do to maintain their health. It's like brushing your teeth'not doing it shouldn't be an option. I want people to get out there, get tested, and be healthy. Because if they know their status and they're healthy, the people they have sex with will be healthy as well. It doesn't look like HIV will be going away anytime soon, but ignoring it is definitely not the right choice. You're creating a mural for the New York event? Yes. And I am looking to my fans to give me some advice on how they think it should look via my Facebook artist page or Twitter.com/bromco. I'll be glad to take anyone's inspiration'I'm an artist and a designer that loves collaboration. All I know for sure is there will be lots of color and the mural will be encouraging and uplifting but also very direct. You're working on Color Splash as well as the new show HGTV'd, and you're also a mentor on Design Star. Where do you get the energy to do so much and still manage to give back to the community? I don't know where the energy comes from. [Laughs] It's probably just the result of such great things happening all around. Because there are so many amazing things in my life, I felt the need to reach out and do this. It's an important subject that affects every single person out there. And I'm happy to be able to bring more awareness to it. Is the 'Know Yourself' initiative aimed primarily at gay men? It is, but only because I'm gay and I know gay men better than any [other group]. But it's really meant to bring awareness to everybody about the importance of getting tested. When did you first get involved in the fight against AIDS? I think the fight begins when you get tested the first time. It's a very scary thing to do, especially when you're young. I remember back in the day it took two weeks to get your results, and those were the worst two weeks ever. For me, the fight's been going on ever since. When were you first personally impacted by HIV/AIDS? My second boyfriend and I were together five years. His best friend had HIV, and I watched him struggle with his medicines. At the time, the medicine was really hard on the body. But he's doing great now. He's living a healthy lifestyle, and over the years I've seen him go from a handful of pills down to one pill, which is really amazing. What do you see as the biggest hurdle in the epidemic? I think people are lazy, honestly. I think they're like, Well, it's a manageable disease'therefore I don't have to protect myself. If worst comes to worst, all I have to do is pop that pill. And that is just not the way to live. No one wants to live with a condition that requires daily medication. It's hurtful to the body. [The medicines do] great things when you have HIV, but do you really want to have that as an option when you can just slap a condom on?
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
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
The Pride Store: Discover More LGBTQ+ & Ally Brands Tailor Made for Celebrating Your Identity
November 30 2023 3:04 PM
Shop Your Pride: Dive into LGBTQ+ & Ally Brands with The Grand Opening of The Pride Store
November 28 2023 5:32 PM
These Black Queer Podcasts (Featuring Literally Zero Cis White Gay Men) Deserve Your Ears
November 28 2023 11:55 AM
7 Uplifting Films To Celebrate Trans Awareness Week & Where To Stream Them
November 17 2023 10:25 AM
Out's Deal Guide: Grab Your 50% Off Amazon Fire Tablets & More Recommended Deals on Amazon Today!
November 03 2023 3:44 PM
Unlock Massive Savings at 'The Holiday Shop': Amazon's Hottest Deals of the Season Await!
November 02 2023 2:17 PM
Dianne Feinstein’s Commitment to People Living With HIV Won’t Be Forgotten
November 02 2023 1:27 PM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Winston Gieseke
Editor
Ryan is the Digital Director of The Advocate Channel, and a graduate of NYU Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing. She is also a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics. While her specialties are television writing and comedy, Ryan is a young member of the LGBTQ+ community passionate about politics and advocating for all.
Ryan is the Digital Director of The Advocate Channel, and a graduate of NYU Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing. She is also a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics. While her specialties are television writing and comedy, Ryan is a young member of the LGBTQ+ community passionate about politics and advocating for all.