Old Gays Talk About HIV

"When I was diagnosed in 1987, it was a death sentence, but not anymore."
‘HIV in View’, a first-of-its-kind photo gallery, is a collaboration between global specialist HIV company ViiV Healthcare and Shutterstock Studios to tackle the continued stigma, negative assumptions and fear surrounding HIV. By providing images of real people living with HIV today, ‘HIV in View’ aims to challenge outdated stereotypes and change the way the world views HIV. This World AIDS Day marks one year since the gallery’s launch, and the geographical reach of the collection now stretches across the world from Europe, to North and South America, Africa and East Asia.
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Get More Old Gays:
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Featuring:
Robert E. Reeves
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Michael Peterson
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Jessay Martin
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Bill Lyons
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Senior Producer: Ryan Yezak
Senior Content & Design Strategist: Evan Sterrett
Design Director: Joey Klomes
Senior Copywriter: Patrick Rogers
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Editor: Nicholas Leopold
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Director of Photography: Merlin Showalter
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Sound: Nathan Alef
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Production Coordinator: Paige Showalter
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[@hez5160]

Robert and Mick, thank you for being so open about your experiences in this video. It's empowering and informative. It takes courage.

[@jillcarter9877]

We love u all.. Ty for sharing.

[@eddieharrison3801]

Thanks for sharing I lost a lot of friends to it it still terrifying to this day you guys are so brave.

[@nc5809]

I tested positive right after my 18th birthday.. I only had 1 sexual encounter, and I was irresponsible and got HIV… l only talk about it with my family, my doctor, and my partner. I’m undetectable and a healthy 30 yo guy. Happy and healthy

[@13Senko]

I don't know you personally but I'm glad you're alive 💙

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@Imetwurld_]

How did u get it once ?? Is that even possible.

[@FuzzyFoot58]

Thats some serious bad luck. Ive had 67 sex partners and not even gotten crabs.

[@ThinkingYesimathinkee-pz1rf]

​@@FuzzyFoot58 67 💀 what like whyyyy

[@mannequinn_made420]

My favorite uncle died from AIDS when I was 10. I remember all the mean comments made about his sexuality, the way her acted (because he was feminine) and his health. At the time, my mother made it a point to educate us about HIV/AIDS so we wouldn’t be scared to be around him (my extended family were fear mongering against him). As a kid you really don’t understand what’s really happening. You just notice that grandma won’t let your uncle drink outta her cuts or eat off her dishes; and when the family “explains,” why, they basically tells you that you can die from it, you get scared and pull away. Thank god for my mother who wouldn’t allow misinformation to continue spread to us like that. I love him so much! I remembered every little detail about him that I could. I’m upset that because he had to hide his true self from us kids, I didn’t get to experience him more and learn more about him from him. Like the fact that he was a drag Queen (never knew until I was grown) or that uncle John -who was around since I was a baby- was actually his boyfriend (put that together as a grew up). He was the sweetest, kindest, and one of the most beautifulest people you’d ever meet. He loved Now or laters candy and always listened to his portable CD Player. He would dance any and everywhere. He wasn’t a fighter but would stand up against anybody! 😂 Having him in my life, and having experiences with him, has undoubtedly played a major part turning me into who I am today. 🙏🏾 I’m eternally grateful 🥲

[@Monica-fj2sn]

May he rest in peace and his memory live on through you. Sounded like a wonderful person to be around ❤️

[@mannequinn_made420]

@@Monica-fj2sn thank you 😊

[@ymaysernameuay1113]

We're all headed to the same place, he just got there earlier than us. the dead outnumber the living and he's in good company 🥲

[@chrissy_crumbles]

Sounds like he was an amazing guy. So glad you have these fond memories and that your mom helped stop the stigma. Thank you for sharing this💚

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@emilymcmahon2560]

I’m glad all four guys are still here knowing how hard HIV/AIDS hit the community in the 80s and 90s. I’m also glad that our knowledge of HIV has allowed positive people like Mick and Robert to live with a chronic condition rather than a terminal one. Great video, and thank you guys!

[@QASIMARA]

That's the thing, though. HIV is not a chronic condition so much as a retrovirus that codes the killing of white blood cells which promotes any number of opportunistic infections attempting to harm the patient.

[@emilymcmahon2560]

@@QASIMARA Agreed, but medication has made it into a chronic condition.

[@ThatOneOtherFangirl]

Robert and Mick being so open about this is both heartbreaking and amazing, I hope they know they're helping us younger gays know this community's past more than any other outlet we can find. I love my gay grandpas, and I'm glad modern medicine is helping them live with something that was so scary 30-40 years ago

[@virg0_lem0nade]

yes it is so important for younger LGBT folks to educate themselves about this history -- it really was such an important part of American and even human history, but especially to the queer community. Princess Diana was famous at the time for even "daring" to be in the same room as AIDS patients. It was referred to by citizens and politicians alike as "gay cancer" and "a plague given to gay people" because of the fact that they were gay. ACT UP and other organizations are so much of what made "queer culture" what it is today.💗💗💗

[@YungT2003]

Oh lawd I'm blind. I thought that pic was sixnine 😳

[@ThatOneOtherFangirl]

@@YungT2003 Nope, that's my face! 😂

[@n.a.8050]

The acceptance in both Robert's and Mick's faces countered by Jessay's sadness is heartbreaking.... I'm glad that things have changed now for those who have HIV. You never truly live unless you're faced with the thought of dying. It changes your perspective and you become more appreciative of living.every.single.moment. ❤

[@izzilizzy13]

Okay. Every single time I watch a video with these men, I think, "Damn, I wish I knew these men in my real life. They are awesome freakin' people." But this video brought me to tears almost immediately. Thank you, guys, for speaking out on so, so many different topics - and for reminding people that "gay" doesn't just mean fabulous fun time all the time. It can be scary, and painful, in isolating ways that many people can't even imagine. Thank you for being amazing humans.

[@EddVCR]

1:18 I teared up listening to Bill’s story of how he lost _80%_ of all his friends to AIDS, and how he didn’t know they’d had AIDS because they all hid the fact that they were sick. Imagine how scared they must have felt, dying in mass but each person feeling so isolated and alone. Stigmatizing health conditions is NEVER the right thing to do. It’s only through compassion and outreach that we can truly improve lives for everybody in society.

[@irishman4671]

This made me cry. I lost so many friends and have absolutely no idea how I came thru it unscathed. I drank like a fish and did whatever drug was put in front of me when I came out in 1990. That put me in situations that almost guaranteed I'd get it. But I didn't and I'll never understand why. Love these guys!

[@bigman4407]

You probably have an immunity to it

[@Hortonheardahoe]

Our bodies are weird and confusing and we still don’t understand them completely. I was around a lot of covid patients, but never got it. There were people that never went out, that got it. Sometimes it’s the luck of the draw, sometimes it’s our bodies, sometimes it’s wrong place, wrong time. Similar to pregnancy, some people try forever and then I get pregnant during my first sexual encounter. I’m so sorry for your losses! Im so sorry for the prejudices against HIV and your community. Im so sorry for how the medical community treated HIV and aids cases before. I’m so glad you’re here! And I hope we can do better for treatment, protection, and a cure! ❤️

[@irishman4671]

@@Hortonheardahoe Thanks so much. Very kind of you to say!❤❤❤

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@JennyRoses1975]

Oh, Robert, I love you. my son is almost 22 now and I stress the need for being safe and made him watch the doc, We were there. he doesn't know the tragedy that was the 80s and 90s. thank you for sharing

[@mikey2848]

wow, I’m about to be 22 just like your son

[@johncollinge619]

@@mikey2848 I'd like to joke it's always a good time to be 22...but I do remember, and not necessarily, but it's a lot safer time, we know where we've been, and have some idea where we're going. Wishing you well and happy!

[@mikey2848]

@@johncollinge619 thanks so much for the wisdom 🤍

[@courtneyaguirre6378]

Oh Robert and Mick,thank you so much for your openness. Thank you for speaking put against the stigma,and for opening up and being raw and honest. We all love the Old Gays! Thank you for being KZbin's gay grandpa's lol💚💙

[@JacksGayChats]

Many of my friends were just dying left and right back in the 80's. If you caught it, it was game over. Patients couldn't stay at the hospital, they couldn't go home, there was no place really for them to go back to.... until AIDS hospice care centers started to open up in major cities with higher concentration of gays such as Long Beach and San Francisco. I visited aids patients once or twice a week for 6 years I think. I've seen pretty awful stuff. Many of them got totally abandoned by their family and friends. They had absolutely no one. I recently documented my experience in a video on my channel, in case if you'd like to know more about it.

[@pcuba12]

I loved this video a lot. Bob & Mick have this energy of bravery and love every video and this just showed the apex of it. All of them are so kind and wise and I’m honestly glad it was awkward for Bill and Jessay. They were able to sit back and learn and digress amongst their brothers and even at old age we are learning every day. All the love guys!

[@binx414]

I highly recommend reading “All the Young Men” to anyone interested in a sad but uplifting story or further insight on the HIV crisis. It’s a real story written by a woman who dedicated everything she had to caring and befriending hiv patients in the south during the 1980s. Incredible book ❤️

[@charlesfranklinhall]

I cried within the first 30 minutes of reading that book!

[@meco4068]

I'm going to check it out! Thank you...

[@duckieforever]

I'm sitting here typing this with tears in my eyes because I have a cousin who tested positive a few years back. He has been openly gay for most of his adult life, and his father was unable to accept that he was for a long time but has finally come around and begun to love him just as much as he did before, if not more so. A few other members of our family had the same reaction, especially once we found out that he was sick; but with patience, time and the compassion and understanding that family should- have, everyone has come to love him so very much. He's happily married and doing very well currently, but its just kind of a shock, I suppose, that people still have the reaction to learning that someone tested positive for HIV/AIDS that they did in the 80's and early 90's; that of fear and caution. The world is substantially better off now than it was then, and I am happy for it. And, I am happy that both Robert and Mick are doing well. Thank you to both of you for showing the world that you are still you and can have a normal life. Much love to the four of you.

[@Funnylittleman]

I’m so sorry that our country failed you all. I’m glad you’re all here to tell us about your lives and makes us all so happy with your videos. Thank you for being pioneers for further generations ♥️

[@neptunepirate1981]

I love that Bill and Jessay just listened and learned. I have such an immense respect for Bob & Mick.

[@williamarmstrong7007]

I was diagnosed with HIV over 20 years. I've always been undetectable but in 2011 I was also diagnosed with NASH non-alcohol cirrhosis. When my doctor told me I was going to die unless I had an organ transplant. I looked at him and said people like myself don't get organ transplants and he looked at me and said not only do we get organ transplants we tend to do better than people not HIV positive. And I'm just over 9 years post and I am doing very well and I don't take much anti rejection medication as others

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@lu9167]

Hope you are doing OK...

[@williamarmstrong7007]

@lu9167 I'm great, thank you very much for caring

[@lu9167]

@@williamarmstrong7007 if you need to talk, let me know. God bless you

[@sabrinamckinley5109]

Can I just say how much I love that you guys have these conversations? I absolutely LOVE that you're helping break these horrible stereotypes. I love you all so much 🖤

[@tinas8085]

I worked in a medical lab for over 4 years and seeing those negative viral loads was a beautiful reminder of how far we've come 😊 thanks for being so open and honest!

[@alinaaz7272]

My grandparents died of AIDS in the early 90’s. I am so happy to hear you speak about your success in managing HIV. I wish for your continued health!

[@sheraii]

Courage + Compassion = Love! ♥️

[@rhudson5654]

I was a member of many activist groups in the early 1980's. It was a time of fear, sadness, regret and death. Our LGBT community banded together and took care of each other. I was a nurse at the time and volunteered daily to care for our beloved men and women with AIDS. I'm so happy that our friends on the video are here and healthy. We love you.

[@isisprior1987]

I just need to say this: you're an angel!!!

[@simlu6360]

Thank you for all the work you guys did back then so that we can walk proudly now in every regard ❤

[@jennifersampson8958]

I respect and appreciate them having this discussion. My uncle got hiv in the late 90's fr his wife and is still alive today and has an undetectable virus load...it's not a death sentence and this conversation needs to be had more often

[@stingsting1132]

Wow surprisingly I'm now free from HIV virus with the help of Dr Abiola channel on KZbin 🇺🇸 🥰

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

Much love Fellas. We've lost a lot of people to AIDS. You are amazing and I love you.

[@thomascrown3600]

I lost my Godfather to HIV. No one would tell me how he died. I did find out how he died eventually. I loved him. I just wanted to hang out with him. But he shielded me from finding out he was gay as well as being positive. I would have stood by him.

[@elicather8168]

I really commend them for talking about such a traumatic and challenging subject. I’ve never get in any danger of contracting the virus (I’m a virgin tbh), but when I was first coming out, it was very important to me to sit down and learn all I could about the history of our community. And of coarse a lot of that was learning about the epidemic. Despite it being such a grave injustice and a tragic loss, learning about it helped me realized just how resilient this community really is. Through death and destruction, this community still came together to care for one another. Learning the history made me feel as though I was part of a family, one that protects one another. To any young queer person, I really would recommend taking the time to learn all that you can about our community. It helped me a lot to see others I could relate to. And to all of our queer elders, I want you to know that you are so so appreciated for all that you’ve done and you and your story will never be forgotten.

[@johncollinge619]

Now if we can get all of our community on board with the "T", we can pat ourselves on the back and live on!

[@nickbarcheck1019]

I have so much respect for these men. Their lives were so much harder as gay men than gay guys my age today. They made it through. I tear up when I watch their videos. But they're tears of joy and happiness and respect. These guys are the real deal.

[@DianeM.Schneider]

I had no idea. Mick and Robert, thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the courage to speak about this. I’m sure there are people out there just learning they are positive. It is my hope you’ve helped them. 🤟❤️🌈

[@Stereochemistry]

Hands down the best video on this channel!! Thank you guys for being so honest and straightforward on such a hard topic still today ❤️❤️❤️ i spent a few years working in Hepatitis C diagnostics and treatment (research scientist) in pre-Prep times and the whole stigma and fear surrounding it all even within the medical community was just appalling. I would only add one recommendation: get tested regularly for all kinds of stuff, regardless of your gender and sexual orientation. That will give you knowledge about the status of your own body and it will enable you to take care of yourself and the others, too.

[@greyboyer9329]

Robert and Mick I'm so glad you guys are here! I'm so sorry all of you had to go through those times and the loved ones you've lost💜. A conversation still needed in today's age!

[@ChocolateHeart90]

I don't have HIV, but I am grateful for everyone who has it that there is a way to help them live a more normal life. If just more ppl would educate themselves on this topic and be more open that would be awesome. 🌼🌼🌼

[@ray25lee]

My uncle had HIV and then AIDS. He was gay and a nurse (and a Leatherman, judging from the leather jacket and harnesses I was able to get ahold of from his box of things), he volunteered himself in those shady, early trials for HIV/AIDS cures. Those trials only made him sicker, which of course hastened his death. He's the only queer person I know of in my legal (not chosen) family, I wish he was still alive so I could tell him how proud I am of him for doing all that. I wear his jacket to Leather events that I go to, so it feels like he can still be there for everything he's missing out on. I imagine he would've been the only one on my mother's side of the family who would've accepted me as trans.

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@tatsf]

Thank you so much for having this conversation publicly! So many need to hear it, and hopefully it is cathartic in ways for you all as well. I've lived in the eye of the storm since the beginning. I was a student in New York and lost my first friend unexpectedly in '81 (right after Hibiscus and a couple of other well known folks in the community). Moved to San Francisco and have worked in the intersection of HIV, substance use, and mental health for most of my time here. Sero-converted in 96 myself. Tomorrow I facilitate a support group for gay men in their 50s through 80s. Perhaps I will see if my co-facilitator wants to use this clip!

[@mygoodsins]

I’m glad the HIV talk is coming back again for a while it seemed like no one was talking about it. 1984 born. All we heard about in high school was the HIV talk all the time. I even volunteered at a nonprofit that provided HIV/AIDS support. Love these guys even more!

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@Effervescency]

Thank you all for speaking out about HIV. I remember being an 18 years old queer woman, fresh into college in 2005, involved in our LGBTQ+ group. I had met a few people that became my friends that were positive. These relationships were different than the few people I had known through other people that had died from the virus. These were now my friends. It changed my outlook on health and I saw how I could help. It helped create open conversations for me in the future. From the time I was 18, I’ve advocated, provided emotional support, and helped with financial support for organizations in HIV/AIDS research and relief. I had often wished I was alive sooner to help more in my community. Tomorrow with World AIDS Day this video will hopefully help bring awareness!

[@BoardroomBuddha]

I like the fact that the two neg guys admitted to feeling awkward. Lots of men who survived the plaque learned not to talk or think about HIV as a way to feel safe, or to avoid the painful memories of the plague years. I'm 57 and many of my negative friends who are 50+ are still very ignorant or hesitant to talk about HIV. To admit what they know or don't know. To ask other positive guys questions so they aren't stigmatizing them. Our best friend of 16 years died of AIDS and never told us. He was to ashamed to admit it, and we were to afraid to ask. It's time to start speaking up...

[@YungT2003]

Omg I missed my four grandfathers. Might as well call them the fore fathers of gays 💙💙

[@lizw495]

You guys are making this world a better place, you’re teaching your peers and the younger generation things we wouldn’t know about. I want to thank you guys for being yourselves and strong enough to talk about this. I’m sending love from New Hampshire! 💜

[@just__hypesquad1719]

Wow Mick and Bob thanks so much for sharing your experience with all of us. It just shows you that Hiv is not a death sentence anymore like it used to be. Drs have come a long way in treating this awful disease so people are not suffering anymore. Mick and Bob love that you have shared that with us all. Lots of love to you both and of course Bill and Jessay also. Think your all amazing and love you all to bits. Love one of your big fans in the UK.xx

[@virg0_lem0nade]

god, i love all of these men so much. 💗 i have watched all their videos, a million times, and shared them with friends. i had a feeling about Robert and Mick being HIV-pos based on some of the comments they have made in previous videos -- it still was so moving to see a really candid talk with them opening up about it all. They are such cool people. Thanks for making this, I seriously needed to see this today. 💗

[@ohreallyeliza]

Sending so much love to Robert and Mick! Thank you for sharing this. 💜💜

[@clairebiermann4712]

You guys are so strong!! Thank you for being open about this and normalizing this!!!❤️❤️

[@myfaves119]

Thank you for the frank and open conversation... It took a lot of courage to be so transparent, and I truly respect you all. Robert and Mick...❤❤❤

[@sashasahaya7114]

Tested positive almost two months ago. A lot has happened since but I'm trying my best to fight.

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@drinkydoodle582]

I love you Robert and Mick...even more now that you've opened up. That's not to say I don't love you all, but there's an extra special place in my tainted old heart for you two. You'll find it at the corner of 'Respect and Love'. A year in to these video clips and I'm still a sucker for a tall balding man with a sexy accent. I think we're around the same age too. Too bad the USA is a little scary to visit these days or I'd be venturing south in a heartbeat. Stay well everyone. :)

[@Frogs84]

What a scary time to be alive in the late in the 80s. I get sick of all the HIV treatment ads but I always kick myself because I know it’s huge progress.

[@em0ville]

Loved this video 💞 Spreading awareness and breaking the stigma about HIV is definitely important

[@jillc7697]

Thank you guys for sharing your stories and hopefully this will help the younger generations to understand it more. Much love to you all ❤

[@sheraii]

♥️♥️ these beautiful ol guys!

[@kasi56]

Love you guys 💞 you are all so heartwarming

[@hypatiaapril]

Thank you for sharing. As a 52 yr old human I remember losing all the queer elders I knew to hiv. I know it isn't the death sentence that it used to be. And for that I'm grateful. Thank you for being open and honest about your experiences.

[@matthewjones4417]

I love this. Education is key.

[@benstevinson764]

Thank you Robert ♥️ and Mick ♥️ I Didn't know that you had HIV I Hope that One Day We will Find a Cure for HIV AIDS!!! 🌈

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@kamalsinghsra67]

Thank you for this video…love you guys…appreciate you guys🤍🥺🔥🥺🤍

[@DillanD0519]

Thank you 💖

[@AhJodie]

It was so frightening when it came out, worse than this past pandemic, no one knew where it came from, people were dying horribly and quickly. I lost a lot of friends too. And the worst part about it was some people saying that the gay deserved it because they were sinners.

[@ACurvyMillennial18]

So much more respect for these four wonderful human beings. Having lost a few friends to HIV I feel so humbled watching this vid. Thank you so much!

[@stephenberry8658]

Blessed...40 years with HIV... 20 years since total immune collapse and diagnosis of PML/AIDS close to death. Joyous to beat the medical odds.... 27 years with my wonderful loving partner... Magical.

[@charlesfranklinhall]

When I told a friend back in 2014 when basically rejected me! Both him and his husband haven’t had anything to do with with me since with me. Thank you Robert and Mick 💕💕

[@williamtribbitt7638]

Love you guys! Thanks for addressing this topic. Like Mick stated, " I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and made a wrong (bad) choice." Unfortunately, bad things DO happen to good people. Be vigilante. Ask questions. Should you feel uncomfortable in the situation, don't listen to your heart or probably what's not hanging between your legs at the moment (if you know what I mean). Be smart, listen to your brain. Thanks again!

[@quelogrillasca3543]

Que bonito mensaje, gracias por el video. ❤

[@JohnnyRedgate]

I am crying x

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@puffin2785]

I’ve been Married for 33 years and I have 3 sons and 3 grandsons and I don’t care what people say I love watching these 4 guys.. keep making these videos please

[@veecr4675]

Knowledge is power, educate yourself and Thank you for sharing your story. ❤️

[@susangilbert3505]

Great video. Please consider not adding music to the other audio channel when you make future videos. It's hard for elders to attend to both the vocal track and the music track. I know it's a popular editing thing to do, to add interest. But older brains cannot process both music and vocals--It's frustrating--And I have acute hearing, but others, particularly older men, don't. Thanks.

[@RowdyBoy82]

This needed to be longer than 5 minutes. We need to know our history whe we still have people who lived through it to teach us. The disease is more manageable and awareness brings the ability to prevent infection, but I feel like these days the younger attitude toward HIV is very cavalier. Part of this is that the AIDS crisis seems like ancient history but it's not. Listing to living legends from that Era can help give weight to the severity of the situation.

[@Nicety08]

Thank you for sharing Robert and Mick ❤️ This video will help a lot of ppl!

[@Mari-kb7jb]

Thank you so much. Robert and Mick thank you for sharing your stories with us. I lost my two best friends from AIDS in 2013. My friend Michael was 42 and Louise was 34. This was in 2013. Both stopped taking their medications. Mick thank you for talking about how absolutely imperative it is to take your medications. There is so much I want to say but I’m having trouble typing through these tears. Tears of sadness love grief courage compassion and loss. So I will end with again saying thank you. Thank you.

[@daisyrocky1070]

Such a beautiful and necessary video.. I'm not of the LGBQ/t community but I support the community and I love the Old Gays videos, these guys are hilarious. HIV is still ravaging communities but with proper education and medical care I pray everyone can live long, happy and healthy lives.

[@thenumnumshop]

My mother was one of the nurses who was treating the HIV patients in the ICU back in the 1980s . She dreaded going into work after time off because many times, she would go in and find she has lost patients. She even took the schoolboard in my town to task back in the 90s because they did not even want to mention HIV in school and be part of the health curriculum. We ended up having a speaker from a local clinic come in and speak at my school.

[@travishunterbrown]

God bless these men for being brave enough to share their stories and experiences. Makes my eyes well up. Thank you for uploading this.

[@drumrue]

Wonderful men. Humbling to listen to their life stories, and their honesty.

[@lizmowrey9866]

Whoa! I didn't know that Mick & Robert were living with it. I appreciate them for sharing their experiences, can't imagine what it was like back then.

[@dianabyrne2462]

Courage+ compassion = LOVE.

[@leticiasouza2328]

Brazilian fan here ❣

[@gracehetfield5331]

Mick and Robert are true survivors. Bless them.

[@janismorrissey]

I feel so happy because Mick and Robert are here today 💗 LOVE YAAAAH 😭💗

[@Jessibelle.]

of course all i have is gratitude for robert and nick for talking about their experiences, but much love to bill and jessay as well for openly admitting that they felt awkward/more uncomfortable than anticipated. while these important stories are being shared, having listeners that are honest yet considerate in their responses is so important. 💓

[@caterinasalva7670]

"Is it something you are comfortable talking about?" "YES" strong af old buddies!!!

[@claudewillis5723]

Thanks guys being poz in the south is a lonely place but eating you guys gives me hope

[@winsboy]

The boys brought back a terrible time in my life ...in history. My big brother told me of his diagnosis in August 1986. By May 1987, he was gone. Over the next 2-3 years, I would lose a dozen or more friends and acquaintances. I was one of the dumb luck gays who didn't catch the virus. Even in MGH, a major Boston "teaching hospital", food trays were left on the floor outside John's room because food staff were afraid to enter. While that was understandable (if not forgivable) at the time, there's no forgiving the medical staff who ignored the situation. Mom and I were told by nurses that we had to wear protective garb and masks during our visits. We refused. What my brother needed as much as a cure was the knowledge that we loved him and would still hug him and laugh with him. That is an important medicine, too. Pres. Reagan refused to help saying, in his defense, that AIDS was God's punishment for being gay. I will never forget one wise clergyman responding to that (without mentioning Reagan by name) by saying, "How sad that there are those who would use the Scriptures as a drunk would use a lamp post ...for support, rather than for light!" God bless those who did the research that resulted in having Robert and Mick still with us!

[@MeganSin]

I remember a few videos ago, mick saying he has an autoimmune disease and I suspected it was HIV and had no idea about Robert’s status, but I think it’s very brave that they were willing to mention it and they are good examples that you can still be happy and healthy and be HIV positive and even though there are so many advancements with medication, it’s important to look back at those who were lost because of it.

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@ottelisezipporah-isadora8070]

I love these four guys.

[@josuebaxxie1]

Thank you for being open and sharing your experiences. I am in tears thinking about when my uncle first tested positive, he was in the hospital and we were told that he may not have much longer to live. Fast forward today he is healthy and undetectable. Please we need to get rid of the stigma and promote education, because this is not a death sentence

[@charlenehermione6509]

All thanks to Dr Abiola on KZbin for curing me permanently from HIV with his herbal medicine 💕💕

[@taylortiwari7118]

This is so important. I wish I had known earlier just so I could help talk about it. I’m 25, and growing up, all I knew or heard about HIV was terrible jokes people made. It wasn’t til adulthood that I learned, and since then, I’ve just wanted to help others with awareness.

[@Jamie-ro6sx]

I have a question. How did some gays not get the virus. Like how did they survive? If that's not to personal a question please. These guys are absolute soldiers. Love them to bits.

[@msg3tr1ght]

I love them all so much!!! It’s wonderful to have elders like them sharing their stories and giving wisdom. We need more of that! I’d love to have brunch with them 🫶🏼😁

[@cyndykated358]

So hard to think of it as history now! So many beautiful creative people are gone❤❤

[@daniellejohnson1323]

Love you guys!!! ❤️

[@KindlyKhari]

I'm not crying...you're crying. Thanks for sharing your experiences/thoughts guys. And yes - courage + compassion = love.

[@leticiasouza2328]

I LOVE U GUYYYSSSS how i miss u old gayssssss

[@Slambam73]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and for sharing basic yet vital information, as there are still so many who are uninformed or misinformed. Can't imagine how sad and horrific it was to lose so many friends in the early days of the disease. I remember the panic at that time and the lack of the "greater public" even wanting to acknowledge it. Power and health to you all!

[@Justicewarrior908]

I think its important to note a few things and also get real about the issues our community is facing. I am married to an older gentleman who is HIV positive and I am not. It is important to bring awareness of the whole issue, but its also important to do your part of stopping it. Currently there are PREP and condoms to protect yourself from contracting HIV. However, there were condoms also in the early 1990s when the epidemic was at its peak. There shouldn't be any new HIV cases when we have all the precautions to protect you from it. These cases are looming because of the excessive drug use, unprotected sex etc in our own community. It is time to take responsibility for our part and not blame the government or anyone else. I am also not talking about exceptions where HIV was transmitted through birth, someone cheating etc. Furthermore, the stigma over undetected needs to be more around the positivity of overcoming the disease and the power of science, not to encourage people to have unprotected sex. Contracting HIV can depend on multiple factors like the viral load in your system, the accuracy of taking your prescriptions etc. PLEASE USE A CONDOM regardless of someone's status.

[@AUlostchick09]

Also use a condom because HIV is not the only thing you can contract!!

[@arianapuzzo7827]

Thank you to Bob and Mick for sharing their stories. ❤

[@ericarona8599]

Prep Daily👍 I love Descovy no side effects at all.

[@tomhaywood8619]

God Bless you all. Please, know you all are never alone. I'm here if any of you feel like talking. I lived through the 1980s and lost many people due to aids. I worked in the Aviation Industry and it seemed everytime I turned around I heard of another loss. I don't have aids but I know what it's like to be different and growing up when it seems we all did and not feeling accepted was hard enough. The best thing we could do now is to reach out to one another and share stories and who knows perhaps we could form a friendship? All the Best to ALL of you brave men!! Tom

[@unknownnavelbone7098]

Its great to see this video especially now considering that I'm writing a paper on the AIDS crisis so its a good thing to see the positivity coming from these men who survived this time period

[@kyrvhy]

Love you guys and this is SO Important.

[@sjwecks]

We all owe this generation an enormous debt of gratitude.