By 2023, at 35, I hit rock bottom. Homeless, still struggling with my identity, and carrying the weight of an untreated HIV diagnosis. It’s amazing how life can strip everything away until you’re forced to face yourself in the mirror. When my mother mentioned Broward House, I was desperate enough to listen. Looking back now, that moment of desperation turned out to be my saving grace. Walking into Broward House was like finally being able to breathe after holding my breath for years. In therapy, I started unraveling the knots I’d tied myself into. It wasn’t just about getting sober or managing HIV, it was about accepting who I am, all of me. For the first time, I could talk about being bisexual without feeling like I needed to apologize for it. My therapist helped me understand that my sexuality wasn’t a mistake or a curse, it was just part of who I am.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took time, tears, and more courage than I knew I had. But day by day, piece by piece, I started rebuilding. Getting sober was just the beginning. Staying sober for these 22 months has been about building a life worth staying sober for. My case worker saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself at first. “Take it day by day,” he’d tell me, “Greatness isn’t built in a week.” Those words became my mantra. When transitional housing became available through Community Rightful Center, he helped me make the leap. First came the job, then the savings account, and now I’m on the verge of moving into my own apartment, something that seemed impossible just two years ago.
Today, my HIV is well-managed, I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I’m building a life I never thought possible. Every morning, I take my medications, not with shame, but with gratitude. I’m grateful to be alive, grateful for second chances, and grateful for the support that helped me get here. To anyone out there struggling with their sexuality, their HIV status, or addiction: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is reach out for help. Your past doesn’t have to define your future, and it’s never too late to start living authentically. I’m not just surviving anymore, I’m thriving. And the best part? This is just the beginning. There are still hard days, sure, but now I know how to face them without losing myself in the process. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.