Ten Years Of Carrying A Secret The World Should’ve Understood

On a balmy May evening in Florida in 2013, Christopher “Super” Green received the devastating news that he was HIV-positive. “I received my diagnosis on a date,” he recounted, sharing that he and his partner, studying public health, had visited a clinic together. The result left him reeling; just months before, his test had been negative. “I felt as if my world had collapsed,” Green reflected. “I thought no one would ever love me again.” Early on, fear and shame isolated him until his steadfast friend T.J. offered unwavering support. Meeting J.J., a young Black case manager, transformed his outlook and inspired him to pursue public health. Today, Green flourishes as a lead prevention navigator in Atlanta, advocating openly to combat pervasive stigma surrounding HIV. “For many, stigma is far more perilous than HIV,” he emphasized, highlighting a broader issue that continues to disproportionately afflict Black communities in the South due to systemic inequities.