Meet Nate

Nate was given his HIV diagnosis during his lunch hour on November 7, 2002. It was a routine test and he had not expected it to return positive. After being given the number of a local infectious disease specialist he returned to work and assumed that having HIV meant weekly visits to the doctor. He immediately sat down with his boss and told him the news. "That moment changed my life. I went from a feeling of devastation to pretty much feeling okay by the time I left my boss’ office three hours later. He took the time to talk with me and let me know that I was going to be okay," shares Nate.

He decided that learning as much as he could about the disease was going to be his best tool. He immersed himself in books, researched the Internet and connected to people online who could answer questions. He also relied heavily on the support of his friends and family. Eventually he found a website with the link to a support group for young gay men in the Boston area who were living positive. He made the call and a week later attended his first group meeting. Over the next year he took a leading role in the group, eventually being asked to co-facilitate.
 
Nate works with an HIV service provider in Boston, in addition to his career as production director of the nationally syndicated radio show "Open House Party." He shares a highlight of his advocacy work. "After speaking to a youth group in Maine, one of the kids approached me and said he had received an HIV diagnosis the previous week. Initially he had not planned to tell anyone, but now wanted to tell his family and some close friends. It made me sad to think about how many people are still in that place, feeling like they are all alone. It sums up why it is so important for me to continue speaking about my own experiences and doing the work that I do."