Ashton Reynolds moved from Houston to Atlanta’s Morehouse Faculty in 2004, attending the traditionally Black liberal arts establishment on an ROTC scholarship for 2 years earlier than his monetary scenario meant an early departure from the varsity. Reynolds skilled homelessness and meals insecurity at simply 20 years previous, turning to survival intercourse work in order that he might sleep indoors. Throughout this time, he went for a three-day hospital keep the place he discovered he was HIV-positive.
“The physician that I spoke with that first prescribed me medicine mentioned…at a sure level this medication isn’t going to work, so there simply wasn’t as a lot hope [as there is today],” Reynolds informed Georgia Voice.
Following his analysis and amid housing instability, Reynolds looked for a non secular dwelling.
“After I was searching for church buildings, lots of the church buildings that I visited have been simply extraordinarily homophobic,” Reynolds mentioned of his early days in Atlanta.
Lastly, he stumbled upon Imaginative and prescient Cathedral and met Bishop O.C. Allen, III–who based and presently presides over the United Progressive Pentecostal Fellowship of Church buildings, a progressive Christian and inclusive non secular group.
“[Vision Cathedral] was simply this excellent mixing of the standard Black church tradition that I used to be used to, however with progressive values and beliefs,” Reynolds mentioned. “It was actually an area the place everybody could possibly be themselves and be welcomed and be free to worship with out having had a sure facet of themselves.”
Reynolds says Bishop Allen and his husband, “ The First Gentleman” Rashad Burgess, have been mentors and father figures to him.
“[Bishop Allen and First Gentleman Burgess] have been non secular guides for me, and as an individual of religion, I imagine it’s all the time crucial that individuals maintain onto hope, and with out correct training, lots of of us can really feel hopeless,” Reynolds mentioned. “My mentors have proven me easy methods to incorporate religion and practicality, and that’s what I attempt to do in my on a regular basis life and my advocacy work.”
Reynolds’ sensible, faith-based recommendation begins with going to the physician.
“You’ll get by way of this by going to your physician. You’ll get by way of this by following therapy choices. You’ll get by way of this by, for those who’re not residing with HIV, getting on PrEP or seeing a health care provider repeatedly, getting examined repeatedly,” Reynolds suggested.
It was 2006 when Reynolds obtained his HIV analysis and was informed it was a demise sentence. Because of the advocates who preceded him and life-saving developments in antiretroviral remedy (ART), Reynolds proudly shares his story with Georgia Voice 18 years after his analysis.
Reynolds acknowledges that attitudes towards and medication for individuals residing with HIV/AIDS have improved in recent times however emphasizes the necessity to finish lingering stigma and unfold of misinformation.
“There’s nonetheless lots of work to do,” he mentioned. “I need to encourage everybody who’s unfamiliar with HIV, who has questions on HIV, who’s afraid of HIV, to go surfing, go to respected web sites, learn, be taught, go to a health care provider and ask inquiries to your physician, and lean into your individual well being. Your well being is your wealth.”
At this time, Reynolds is a minister, a non-profit chief, and a neighborhood activist. His journey is simply one of many estimated 40 million individuals who presently stay with HIV throughout the globe.
“[I hope] World AIDS Day will encourage and encourage, extra particularly, younger individuals to be educated in their very own healthcare selections and get the details about HIV, as an alternative of stirring within the concern that could be lingering on the market about one thing very manageable and controllable,” Reynolds mentioned.
