Treatment
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.
Watch doctoral student Daniel Driffin discuss his experience with HIV in The Switch.
December 20 2022 1:49 PM EST
May 26 2023 1:37 PM EST
The Switch is a video series about sharing positive lifestyle and health routines to help you thrive while living with HIV. In this series, you will hear from people living with HIV from varying backgrounds, with a focus on southern states where HIV is disproportionately prevalent. Listen to them talk candidly about positive changes they have made in their daily lives, including their approach to HIV treatment. The individuals share their lived experience and the impact making “the switch” has had on them.
Daniel Driffin has been thriving in life with HIV for 14 years but he remembers what it was like first finding out his status and how he made the switch to living a healthy life.
“I remember the day that I actually found out my HIV status. I made a post on Facebook and I said, today is seven years living with HIV. I remember being really sad initially, but now I am happy, I'm thriving. I thought about whether or not to delete it and say I was hacked on Facebook or to ultimately leave it up. And I left it up. And I think that placed me on this trajectory of living with HIV.”
Making the switch has helped Daniel understand the stigma that those diagnosed with HIV continue to face daily. But the community has also helped Daniel overcome the stigma he has faced in his life.
“In general, I think when we think about ways to decrease stigma and improve HIV outcomes, it truly starts with having a sense of community around yourself. Also connected to reducing stigma or reducing shame specifically, it really starts with that initial conversation within yourself saying you are not less than, you are not other, you are still whole. I think when you come to the place of being fulfilled and not from a place of negativity especially attached to HIV, you are in control of stigma.”
And Daniel wants to remind anyone living with HIV that they’re not alone and that they can thrive just like him.
“If you are having a conversation with your medical provider or even inside yourself, it starts with a quick Google search or it can start with asking a friend or even asking others with HIV. I again echo the fact that first and truly take time to listen. You are not alone. There are countless people living and thriving with HIV.”
Related | How Conquering Fear Can Help You Achieve Your Long-Term HIV Treatment/Health Goals
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
Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources
January 31 2025 5:29 PM
Tyler TerMeer vows to continue to fight for health care for all
January 28 2025 3:00 PM
Lexi Love comes out as HIV+ after Trump deletes federal resources
January 23 2025 11:23 AM
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
This long-term HIV survivor says testosterone therapy helped save his life.
December 16 2024 8:00 PM
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Trinity K Bonet quietly comes out trans
December 15 2024 6:27 PM
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 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