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Deciding Moments: We Are Greater Than HIV

There are a lot of pressures of being a mom. You wear many hats I have a 18 year old and 16 year old and I’ve adopted another 18 year old and I have my two-year-old.

In 1985 I met the love of my life.

I said that’s gonna be my next husband.

Hi, I’m Candice Wiggins, I’m in the WNBA. My father was a professional baseball player leadoff hitter for the World Series Padres in the 80s. It was an untimely death to AIDS.

Every day looking at my kids they don’t see anything different you know regardless of what other people may see me. And they may see the words HIV written across my forehead, but my kids just see me as their mother, you know, I’m a mother first, HIV came second.

I made a quick decision in the heat of the moment to have unprotected sex and as a result I became HIV-positive.

Young people are today coming to conclusions about their sexuality and gender identities at much younger ages.

When it comes to my sexual business, I always practice safe sex. I do take pride in just taking care of myself and to this day I’m HIV-negative.

In 1969, gender-nonconforming rights were nowhere. To be even considered gay could cause repercussions that could ruin your life. You can lose your house, you could lose your job, you could lose your life.

I think it’s important for people to have honest conversations with their partners to be honest first for themselves. And not to be afraid if you’re a man or woman in a relationship or in a situation where you’re about to be with somebody, to just say, “Hey tell me about your sexual history have you been tested for HIV?”

25 years we’ve been together I’ve been HIV-positive all of that time and she remains HIV-negative. She’s my best friend in the world.

It’s been a lot of thick and it’s been a lot of thin but it’s been working 25 years later and we’re still together.

I don’t think on the past much I’m too busy looking forward what I’m going to do tomorrow

A lot of people would look at my life as being that it’s over because I’m HIV-positive you know but it’s not. It’s just beginning. You can live a full and happy life and also raise four children at the same time.

Not talking about it never really solved anything and people are afraid of telling the story but I’m just not afraid to tell it and destroy the stigma.

Regardless of your age, your race, your orientation, your HIV status, we all have a part to play in this. This is something that affects us all.

I’m Richard.

My name is Deon.

I’m Cheryl.

My name is Duane Kramer.

My name is Chris.

I’m Eva and I’m greater than AIDS.

I am Greater Than HIV.

Greater Than HIV.

I am Greater than AIDS.

Deciding Moments are everyday opportunities to take a stand against HIV — to be GREATER than the disease. Whether it is talking to loved ones, using protection or getting tested, through these simple acts, we each do our part to help end AIDS. What’s your Deciding Moment?