Hear the stories of people living with HIV
The coffee loving community worker, giving back.
Jimmy is a community worker in the HIV Sector. He was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2017. Jimmy was born in Taiwan and moved to Australia as an international student in 2015. Sharing his home with long-time partner Troy and their dog Obi, Jimmy is a self-confessed coffee lover and foodie. He is passionate about his social work in the HIV Sector and wants to give back to the community that gave him such wonderful support when he was first diagnosed.
In his spare time, Jimmy loves exploring his local parks or escaping to the mountains when he can. He is a passionate music lover and loves a night out watching contemporary dance. Jimmy says that being a part of this campaign to the dispel the misconceptions and stigma around HIV brings him much joy.
The unstoppable African woman and mother.
“Living with HIV has never slowed me down. l am unstoppable.” Christabel is a mother of two, a mental health professional and a food lover. She was diagnosed in 2000 and since then has gone on to have two healthy, non-HIV positive children. Christy says, ‘I have the passion to bring change to individuals living with HIV and l stand to represent the HIV community to break the HIV stigma.”
Christy grew up in Zimbabwe, singing and dancing, and still loves dancing. In her spare time she enjoys dancing with her three-year olds and going on walks. She is a proud African woman and mother, living and thriving with HIV.
The entertainer and smile generator.
Monty identifies as non-binary, gender diverse and is a senior hairdresser at one of Brisbane’s high-profile salons. He’s also been a drag queen for 16 years and a personality on the queer night scene since 2008.
Monty is an all-round creative soul who enjoys making people smile. His hobbies range from art to plants to creative stage productions. He was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2018 and has been very open about his status for the purpose of dimming the stigma.
The proud Wiradjuri woman, mother and grandmother.
Terrilee is a proud Wiradjuri woman, a mother and grandmother. She is currently working in the HIV Sector as a Community Support Worker. Terrilee was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1997. She is passionate about doing more to ensure there is more visibility, involvement and consideration of women living with HIV. Terrilee has been open about her HIV status and journey and her advocacy work has included radio and public speaking.
Terrilee is currently attending university to learn more about her First Nations heritage. In her spare time she hangs out with her loving supportive family including her 12-year-old granddaughter. Terrilee also has some cool hobbies including collecting carnivorous plants, creating macramé artwork and hand making gifts for family and friends.
In December 2023, Terrilee sadly passed away in a tragic road accident. We, together with our friends at the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation miss her terribly. Her story remains here unchanged, as a tribute to her passionate advocacy work, and to form part of the visible legacy of the work she did to make women living with HIV visible and included in Australia’s HIV response.
The sci-fi hippy techno-freak.
John is a sci-fi loving techno hippy who lives with his husband on 300 acres between Cherbourg and Murgon. He also shares his property with three dogs, fives cats, five horses and eight goats. John is an analytical chemist and a hypnotherapist and Reiki master with a PhD in biochemistry.
John was diagnosed with HIV in 2001. He currently runs a thriving hypnotherapy clinic while studying for his Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology. John is a massive sci-fi fan and loves Star Trek in particular. He’d love to turn his property into a place where people can escape and live the rural life while he continues to rescue his beloved fur babies.
The non-conforming, music loving, creative soul.
Stephanie is a small business owner and documentary maker. She was diagnosed HIV positive in 2020 during COVID lockdown. Steph is an advocate and an activist, with a long list of public speaking credits including World AIDS Day and many Candlelight Memorials. She has also been a panellist for Positive Women Victoria.
Steph is a musically-driven person who sings and plays the guitar. Oh, and she also used to play professional pool. Steph’s other passions including drawing, crocheting, tattoos, make-up and not conforming to any expectations other than being true to herself. She is currently seeking funding for a documentary she is producing about the stigma associated with HIV.
Steph’s quote to live by is: No one is you, that is your power.
The eclectic chef, author and carer.
Greg is a chef, author, gardener, carer and many other amazing things. He has cared for many friends who have passed away. Greg was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1993 and given six months to live. This year, he’s celebrating his 30th anniversary. He is proud to be part of this campaign because Greg has always felt the need to support the community that has helped him. He has cooked at many retreats at HIV events, given cooking classes and volunteered his services for many different HIV-related causes.
Greg has written an autobiography which includes his favourite recipes. He’s using his book as a fundraiser for HIV-related organisations. Greg also has two diplomas in mental health and counselling.
The travelling activist and artist.
Susan has done advocacy work in every country in South East Asia except North Korea. She has lived in London, Paris and Zimbabwe and describes herself as a traveller. Susan has a PhD in Public Health and is a passionate activist for Positive Living with HIV. She is also a mother and an artist. Susan has been HIV positive for more than 30 years and says, “HIV no longer impacts my life in any way, shape or form, except I have to take two tablets every day.”
The positive, empowering filmmaker.
Clint has just completed a Bachelor in Film, so film making and documentaries are taking him in a new direction. In fact, he has already made a documentary which explores how other people are living with the virus. Clint also works as a public speaker for Living Positive Victoria, sharing the word that HIV is a manageable condition that doesn’t define who you are or what you can do.
Diagnosed as HIV positive in 2011, is 100% positive that this virus will not stop him and shouldn’t affect the way he’s treated in society. Clint is passionate about educating the wider community about HIV. He also loves the arts, film, theatre, dance, music and being active with Pilates, hikes or at the gym.
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