Imagine a high school student full of energy and with a bright future, willing to help his classmates and always looking for the next challenge to overcome. Now, imagine that same teenager balancing his studies with the fight against HIV.

Many would judge him thinking: “I should have known,” “Didn't he learn anything in sex education?” or “Didn’t I know about condoms?” And they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Lack of health and sexuality education, coupled with limited sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, are key factors in the rise of new HIV diagnoses among youth and young adults.

At 18, I knew enough about HIV to feel confident I could protect myself. I had to rely on public assistance to access care and treatment until I could start working and obtain private insurance through my employer. I was fortunate to have a comprehensive health care team—including social workers—who helped me navigate a complicated system. They guided me through the good, the bad, and the difficult of HIV care. Without their help and encouragement, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome the mental, emotional, and physical obstacles I faced and take control of my new life.

But it wasn’t all easy. Stigma and a crushing sense of guilt kept me from starting treatment for three years. I feared the side effects I'd read about online and was anxious about explaining the pill bottle to my roommates. Add a dose of Latino machismo, and it was the perfect recipe for staying quiet about my diagnosis. Still, I've always looked for the next challenge, and this one became the ultimate test of courage, resilience, and perseverance.

In the mid-2000s, people between the ages of 13 and 24, along with men who have sex with men (MSM), led the way in new HIV cases, and I was part of both groups. So, just a year after learning of my diagnosis, I decided to speak out and share my journey to raise awareness and prevent further cases.I became an advocate for my peers. Stigma is often overwhelming in minority communities, and it takes courage to overcome those barriers.

For the next decade, I worked at a pediatric specialty clinic, providing peer support and HIV/STI testing and counseling. I also served on the county's HIV/AIDS planning board, advising the mayor and commissioners on funding allocation. Later, I joined the health department to link newly diagnosed patients—and those who had dropped out of treatment—to care. Eventually, I became the health educator for Lee County, Florida. It was an honor to represent my patient community in front of leaders and policymakers, speaking up for those who couldn't or wouldn't because of stigma or fear.

Today, I continue to work to end stigma and eradicate HIV/AIDS by volunteering with local and national organizations such as the National LGBTQ+ Task Force, NMAC (formerly the National Minority AIDS Council), and the NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce). Additionally, I participate in clinical trials and medical and genetic research to help find a cure. Only by participating in new discoveries and studies can we get closer to eradicating this chronic and stigmatizing condition. I am a strong advocate for research and medical advancements, such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), doxy-PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis against the three most common STIs), and the new injectable lenacapavir.

As Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said: “Although an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the best we have: a long-acting antiretroviral that trials show prevents almost all HIV infections in people at risk.” Reach out to your local health department or community-based organization to learn more about HIV and STI testing, prevention, and treatment, or reach out to me on LinkedIn and I’ll be happy to guide you when you’re ready.

When life gives you lemons, make the best, sweetest, most delicious lemonade… and share it with your peers.

About the author

Yuri Velasquez, originally from Nicaragua, has lived in the United States for over 30 years. He grew up in New York City until moving to Florida, where he earned a degree in social work. Yuri worked as a health educator for the Florida Department of Health in Lee County, providing HIV, STI, and hepatitis prevention education to various community organizations. He also served as a disease intervention specialist in Miami-Dade County, conducting contact tracing and case investigations to prevent and control infectious diseases. Additionally,He was a patient advocacy representative in the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Miami.

He has been an ambassador for several national campaigns, including Greater Than AIDS – “I Got Tested,” the CDC’s HIV Treatment Works, and ViiV Healthcare’s My HIV Hang-Up. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he has forged strong partnerships with various national organizations.

He currently works at the social impact and public affairs firm Pyxis Partners LLC, focusing on health equity and community engagement in clinical trials. He enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and staying physically active through hiking, dancing with the DC Gay Men's Chorus, and playing volleyball in the DC PRIDE League.

About NHMA

The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is an organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of the Hispanic community in the United States through education, research, and advocacy for equitable health policies.