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12 Nov 2010

Positive Voices: Humphrey Gorriceta

Positive Voices is a new ongoing series in which we will feature Asian LGBT individuals who are HIV-positive and are living positively.

Humphrey Gorriceta is one of the first Filipinos to publicly reveal his HIV-positive status after he was diagnosed in January 2008 while working as an operations supervisor in a business process outsourcing company in Manila.

Humphrey Gorriceta: "After disclosing to my family, everything changed for the better. I felt the bond of love and caring was strengthened. I started saying 'I love you' to my parents and siblings, which I felt uncomfortable doing before I came out."

The 34-year-old says based on personal experience “people are more accepting when they HIV literate” and so, he has made it his life’s mission to educate his family, friends, people he meets in his daily life and people he has yet to meet about HIV.

Humphrey recalled an incident where he tested positive during a drug test when he tried to renew his driver’s licence. When he was asked by the nurse to come back after a week as they were going to send his urine sample to the Department of Health, he decided to explain his HIV status and conducted an ART (Anti-Retroviral treatment) 101 on the spot with his mom, medical technician, nurse and doctor in attendance to account for the false positive. He got his driver’s licence in an hour.

“People discriminate because of their lack of knowledge about HIV. It’s human nature to be afraid of what we don’t know. That is why HIV educational advocacies are very important.” Said the spokesperson for the National Federation of Filipino Living with HIV and AIDS (NAFFWA) which represents PLHIV (People Living with HIV/AIDS) community-based groups in Philippines.

Humphrey tells Fridae what drives him in his advocacy work, his coming out journey and how coming out strengthened his familial bond and friendships.

æ: Who was the first person you spoke to after you received your initial positive test result? Why did you choose to tell this person?

Humphrey: When I got tested the first person to find out was the guy I was dating. He was with me when I got my HIV test results. He is a doctor so it was easy for me to tell him about my status. 

æ: How has your HIV status affected your love and sex life?

Humphrey: The first year after finding out my status was a little difficult. I did not want to engage in any sexual activities because I felt that it was through unsafe sex that I got infected. Also there is the fear of accidentally infecting others. Although I’ve learned about safe sex and condom use, I still felt fearful engaging in sexual activities. 

I came out to my friends about a year later and I started dating again. It wasn't an easy process but I was eventually able to tell the guys I dated about my status. It was amazing because I was never discriminated against. They understood and accepted me despite my being positive. But before I told them my status, I gradually educated them… I was giving them HIV 101 in instalments. I think that’s what made it relatively easy for them to accept my status. 

æ: How do you decide whether to tell someone your HIV status?

Humphrey: I feel that people need to know about HIV and how to protect themselves. Coming out gives me the opportunity to educate people. More often than not, people ask a lot of question about HIV and I take advantage of the opportunity to change their mind if they have any misconception(s) about the virus. 

I also feel that it’s right to tell people I care about, that I am HIV-positive. It shows respect and reinforces the fact that I care for them. 

æ: What is one myth about living with HIV that you’ve now realise was incorrect? 

Humphrey: When I learned that I am HIV-positive, I thought I was only going to have three years to live, five the most. But I was mistaken. I realised that there is still life after infection. For me it was a more productive and loving life.

æ: Has your relationship with your family and friends changed or evolved after you found out you are HIV-positive? If so, how?

Humphrey: It certainly did. I became closer to my family. The same is true with my friends. After I disclosed my status to my family, I realised that I’ve wasted so much time thinking about my self and despite what happened to me, my family still accepted me and understood what I was going through. It was hard for them at first but they were able to get through it. Of course I did my part educating and comforting them. 

The same is true for my friends. I received the most loving words from friends and they stood by me and never judged me. 

æ: Have you started Anti-Retroviral treatment (ART)?

Humphrey: Yes I am on antiretroviral drugs ever since I was tested positive. My CD4 was at 250 when I got my first count. I had a reaction with Nevirapine and I was hospitalised. I shifted to Efavirenze which gave a side effect. I get really dizzy an hour after I take it. But it was manageable since the effect only lasted more or less an hour. 

æ: Tell us about one of your most memorable disclosure stories (friends, family, colleagues/bosses, doctors, partner or dates, etc).

Humphrey: All of my disclosure stories are memorable. I always get a smile, a hand shake, words of gratitude for sharing my story, a hug and loving words. Nevertheless, I would say that coming out to my family was the most memorable. 

After disclosing to my family, everything changed for the better. I felt the bond of love and caring was strengthened. I started saying “I love you” to my parents and siblings, which I felt uncomfortable doing before I came out. Everything seemed beautiful and I found a purpose for my existence. 

æ: How has living with HIV affected your current work?

Humphrey: Generally, living with HIV did not have a big impact on my work. I never had issues with my status and neither my co-workers and bosses. As a matter of fact, while I was still working as a General Manager in an art gallery, my female boss thanked me for coming out to them because they realised the importance of having a health insurance for their employees. She said that it doesn’t matter that I am HIV-positive as long as I do my job efficiently and effectively. They were all very supportive.

æ: Have you ever experienced discrimination on the basis of your HIV status from government agencies (eg. police, health workers, schools, employment officials, immigration agencies) or other areas (employers, businesses, clubs, etc). If so, please tell us what happened.

Humphrey: I never really got discriminated, although people usually get a surprise everytime I disclose to them. Usually the surprised reaction they have is due to their lack of knowledge about HIV. 

There was one time when I was renewing my driver’s licence and I tested positive on the drug test. The nurse said I had to come back after a week since they need to have my urine sample confirmed with the Department of Health. I told them there is no need for that and I justified that the result is false positive due to the antiretroviral drugs I am taking. I showed them my meds. They don’t know what ART is and did not believe me at first. I had to conduct an ART 101 in the testing centre with my mom, medical technician, nurse and doctor as my audience. After an hour I got my licence. 

People discriminate because of their lack of knowledge about HIV. It’s human nature to be afraid of what we don’t know. That is why HIV educational advocacies are very important. 

æ: Can you share one humorous or odd thing about your life with HIV?

Humphrey: When I talk to people about my story as a person living with HIV, they always ask me how my sex life is. I find it funny how people always equate HIV with sex. What they don’t realise is that there is more to life than just sex. Sex is just a dot on a paper. 

æ: What needs to happen in order for people living with HIV to feel more comfortable about telling people about their status?

Humphrey: For a PLHA (Person Living with HIV/AIDS) to feel comfortable about telling people about their status, there should be trust, respect and understanding. But amongst the three, “trust” is the most essential.

æ: Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV is often quite challenging for everyone. What is one simple thing that people could do to encourage more acceptance in the community?

Humphrey: People need be educated about HIV. What it is and what it is not. From my personal experiences, people are more accepting when they HIV literate. I can’t remember how many times I’ve disclosed my status and I’ve never been seriously discriminated. I’ve disclosed to my family, my friends, to a plenary of students and professionals. I’ve disclosed to strangers and not one treated me indifferently. But I make sure that before or after disclosure, I educate them about my status, my infection, about positive prevention and everything I can share about HIV.

æ: What is one thing that you want to do in the future to help the LGBT or PLHIV community? 

Humphrey: There are lots of things I want to do to help the LGBT and the PLHIV community. But the top three on my list are: 1) come out to put a face on HIV, 2) share my story and 3) advocate to help educate people. All of these goals aim to eliminate stigma and discrimination, help stop infection and help LGBT and PLHIV live more productive and healthier lives. 

æ: How do you feel about your future?

Humphrey: Sometimes I worry what the future holds for me. But I am optimistic that everything will be alright. I am currently doing HIV/ AIDS advocacy work and it gives me a certain kind of fulfilment knowing that there are good people working with me to ensure PLHIV receive treatment care and support, LGBT community are given education to help protect them from infection and working to reduce stigma and discrimination. However, the current HIV/ AIDS situation in the Philippines is making it more challenging living with the infection. The fear of losing ART is apparent. The government needs to be more supportive and give extra attention to the HIV prevention, treatment care and support program in the country. This is why we in the advocacy work double time to ensure that the LGBT and PLHIV community is protected and supported accordingly.

 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.

 

If you are HIV-positive and living in Asia, and want to share your story, please write to editor@fridae.com.

Look out for PositiveVoices.Net, a soon-to-be-launched social networking site for HIV-positive gay men and transgender people living in Asia built around their shared experience of living with HIV.

Philippines

讀者回應

1. 2010-11-13 00:48  
Congratulations to this courageous hero who is changing lives because of his brave decision to live as an openly-HIV positive man.
2. 2010-11-13 01:23  
I get that people who are HIV positive need to come out and spread awareness because people in the Philippines are not as educated about it as we would like them to be. But the problem with spreading awareness in the Philippines is that it will entail educating people about safe sex, which is a very touchy subject because the catholic church has its claws so firmly rooted in government business that they refuse to let the people be educated about contraceptives and family planning. And if the people get their HIV education through other means, it comes down to their religious belief and what their priests preach. No matter what you think of free will and how wonderful it is, don't underestimate religion. Majority of Filipinos are Catholics.

Basically, the church wants the people to do away with contraceptives. Don't ask me why.

On Humphrey's interview, it's good that his coming to terms with the virus has been easy for him. I'm glad that the people around him are supportive and that he's using his life to spread awareness. Let's hope that more people with the virus come out so more people can get educated.
3. 2010-11-13 05:20  
Well Catholic Church is lame on this matter!!!I dont like what their outlook towards being gay or HIV Positive. You will be discriminated. Im sad that this is happening in the Philippines.
4. 2010-11-13 06:09  
There are always decision time arrive for PLHIV. Remember, nothing is right or wrong at this moment. Just honour your knowing.

For each of you to continue to grow you are going to have to change, because your current activities are calling for positive growth.

Practically, in all things, we should honour ourselves and the life we are living.

Just honour your knowing. Your knowing you must trust.
5. 2010-11-13 07:44  
ang weird hah,. after so many many years of AIDS awareness meron pa ring nagiging positive sa HIV,. check your sex life style people. buy condom and use it properly.
6. 2010-11-13 09:43  
he offers a rare perspective on HIV that i'm pleasantly surprised to see.
thank you for the article, it broaches a tough, mostly unpleasant topic, with such grace, sincerity and meaning.
回應#7於於2010-11-13 19:25被作者刪除。
8. 2010-11-13 19:24  
Most hiv infectees are living on regret for being so sluty back on his haydays...i know everyone is a living target to hiv infection. Im not being hyprocite for not being slutty. I myself had many crazy raw incidents that made me crazily worried waiting for the test results to sure me written "non-react". The first test; 3-day after sex is endearing, but the 3-week after the test, thats a bitch. The result always makes my heart pumping hard like i just murder someone. So safe sex bitches...we are all slutty bitches. We are men. We cant help it...those testos have impaired our judgement (pls....)
9. 2010-11-13 20:04  
When raging hormone come, men (gay or not), the head with no brain take control...

I pay no attention to ppl's regret stories which either from a murderer, drug dealer when they r caught.

However, someone got "dead sentence" like HIV, cancer, I dun hv remorse too, bcos better then legal dead sentence. Medical advancement has improved so much in the past decades, I believe it can be reduce to minimum if not cure.

Hey, whatever, don't let the dick head fool yr brain ;p

Is true, human fear the unknown. Tq Gorriceta
修改於2010-11-13 20:17:56
10. 2010-11-14 10:54  
I really don't see how HIV can be related to a death sentense. Getting it for many people is a shocker, of course but the majority manage to live happily ever after as long as they act responsibly and accordingly taking all neccessary and sane precautions not to spread it. Yet again- overwhelming number of recent studies proves the point- HIV is causing less harm compared to social dogma attached to it. There is one truly ugly social epidemics and the name for it- INTOLERANCE. Epidemics of HIV itself is a product of this silly witch hunt and unfortunately GAY society is just as guilty as the rest of "straight" World- my less fortunate friends are lovely people but they suffer from perverted "public opinion" that GAY society projects on them. PS. If "coming out" with HIV still making big news then this World SUCKS big time. Prejustice kills, not HIV. Learn this, people.
11. 2010-11-15 08:17  
Its really inspirational to hear anybody's story like this. Well done to Humphrey and I hope he is happy and successful in everything that he does!! I'm really interested in the work he is advocating / doing. I don't know much about HIV, and I've always been unsure as to whether I'd date someone with HIV. I want to learn about HIV though, so that I can come to the stage where I can be comfortable with dating someone who has HIV. I suppose I need to be "HIV-literate".

Not only that, HIV literacy needs to be spread on the world stage. It is crushing certain countries and peoples. It is raging in South Africa. Also India. More HIV literacy and treatments need to be extended to such people, so that they can finally live.
12. 2010-11-15 09:27  
Nobody is personally to blame for having the virus in their system. It is a global issue. Whoever condemns has other diseases in their bloodsystem; we are human and diseases are unavoidable.
This man is inspirational and an ideal model for us.
13. 2010-11-15 20:16  
Kudos to Fridae and Humphrey for raising awareness and dispelling myths and misconceptions about living with HIV. The messages here are very powerful, each of us have a role to play in prevention and being more aware of the dangers of unprotected sex. Talk about HIV with your friends and partners dont hide from the realities of growing epidemic in this region.
If in doubt get tested and seek professional counselling.
But the over arching message is a very positive one - there is life after an HIV status but Prevention is always better than cure especially in light of there not being one!
14. 2010-11-15 20:16  
Kudos to Fridae and Humphrey for raising awareness and dispelling myths and misconceptions about living with HIV. The messages here are very powerful, each of us have a role to play in prevention and being more aware of the dangers of unprotected sex. Talk about HIV with your friends and partners dont hide from the realities of growing epidemic in this region.
If in doubt get tested and seek professional counselling.
But the over arching message is a very positive one - there is life after an HIV status but Prevention is always better than cure especially in light of there not being one!
15. 2010-11-15 20:50  
lovely story ... hello humphrey! kisses and hugs xoxoxoox best wishes ... always
16. 2010-11-15 21:49  
I'm still surprised that people still believe that HIV is deadly ... HIV antibody tests are useless and the so-called HIV drugs are deadly!
17. 2010-11-15 22:44  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
18. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
19. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
20. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
21. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
22. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
23. 2010-11-15 22:45  
In response to # 16. Yr posting is so contradictory - the facts and figures speak for themselves if left untreated the HIV virus over time will destroy the bodies immune system therefore sooner or later (often after quite a number of years) anti retroviral therapy becomes necessary they are not deadly if properly adhered to. Where it not for ART myself and many of my colleagues and friends would not be around today. Go visit thebody.com WHO or UNAIDS website for more info and get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention.
24. 2010-11-23 16:27  
I am so proud and honored to be your friend Humphrey.
I won't change my teasing ;)
Don't ever stop living a proud & honest life!
25. 2010-12-27 13:30  
Your approach coming out as an openly gay man living with HIV sets a good example for others on the topic on disclosure, as we know it's never an easy thing for anyone to learn that process.

I truly enjoy reading your article and it's amazing from reading how much I know and admire about you.

Helping others also helping ourselves. It reinforces us to live a healtheir and better quality of life.

We are living proof to others. We exist. We are not alone. We live a life just like anyone else.

There will be others judging us this and that. Bring it on!
26. 2011-01-09 21:25  
The cure is around the corner...info after visiting the Amfar website.
27. 2011-06-13 20:59  
In reponse to No.17 - No.23, Your posting is so repetitive !!
"get properly informed on the benefits of ART not only in effective management of the virus but also as a form of prevention." ???

Now these are some of the information in ART printed insert >>
"WARNING
Severe, life -threatening, and in some cases fatal hepatotoxicity, particularly in the first 18 weeks, has been reported in patients treated with VIRAMUNE®. In some cases, patients presented with non-specific prodromal signs or symptoms of hepatitis and progressed to
hepatic failure."
http://www.actionnigeria.org/resources/pdf/ViramuneNVP.pdf

"WARNING
LACTIC ACIDOSIS AND SEVERE HEPATOMEGALY WITH STEATOSIS,
INCLUDING FATAL CASES,
HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THE USE OF NUCLEOSIDE ANALOGS ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER ANTIRETROVIRALS (SEE WARNINGS)."
http://www.actionnigeria.org/resources/pdf/VireadTDF.pdf

So in order not to be contradictory (with the majority), we can't even have the freedom to question? Find the answer yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O9YLNDJFMM&feature=related

We could trust the scientific community is doing us a favour by researching and developing Anti-retroviral drugs to stop HIV, but hey, we can wait another 30 years or even 100 years, but not everyone can wait that long, especially those already on the "treatment"!
修改於2011-11-16 20:01:25
回應#28於於2011-06-14 14:33被作者刪除。
回應#29於於2011-06-14 14:33被作者刪除。
30. 2011-11-16 19:57  
To No.26. "The cure is around the corner..."

I think You are a little bit too optimistic, the scientific community told us the vaccine for AIDS will be available in 2 years time, when they told the World they found the probable cause of AIDS, and that was in 1984, even before i was born, for God's sake !

Please listen to this interview, from minute 2:45 to 2:59.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p-ttLfkZHQ&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL2273F52A153883F2

"A cure is gonna require a very tricky and sophisticated molecular biology, and I frankly don't see it happen, EVER."
Michael Gottlieb, MD.
First doctor to diagnose AIDS
UCLA Medical Center, USA 1980-1997

回應#31已於於2012-11-12 12:47被管理員刪除。
回應#32已於於2013-12-03 12:14被管理員刪除。

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