Breaking my silence: A pastor’s journey with HIV

For years, I concealed my identity as a gay man living with HIV to protect myself from judgment and rejection. Faith communities have often treated HIV status as evidence of moral failure rather than a medical condition. Despite these challenges, I find hope in the church's capacity for transformation. By sharing my story, I claim my dignity as a child of God while contributing to healing the wounds of the church's unresolved struggle with human sexuality.

Originally published in the Presbyterian Outlook, February 27, 2025