World AIDS Day: Robert Suttle on fighting the stigma, criminalization of HIV
WORLD AIDS DAY - What does it mean to live with HIV? For Robert Suttle, it means daily advocacy on behalf of others, while struggling to live a healthy, full and productive life. ...
This is part one of a two-part series of interviews by Miami-based HIV activist Michael Emanuel Rajner, exclusively for theGrio. Watch part two, here.
What does it mean to live with HIV? For Robert Suttle, it means daily advocacy on behalf of others, while struggling to live a healthy, full and productive life.
Robert is Assistant Director of The Sero Project, a network of people living with HIV and allies fighting for freedom from stigma and injustice.
Robert discovered he was HIV positive while trying to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He then faced another blow, when a former partner, with whom he had a contentious relationship, filed charges against him under Louisiana’s “HIV-specific statute” criminalizing non-disclosure of HIV status. After accepting a plea bargain, Robert served six months in prison.
Upon his release in January 2011, Robert became engaged in anti-criminalization advocacy work.
Robert is featured in the short film HIV is Not a Crime, has traveled abroad sharing his story, currently serves on the board of the North American regional affiliate of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+NA), and remains active with the Positive Justice Project and HIV Justice Network.
Prior to joining Sero, Robert worked with young African American men who have sex with men as a case manager and prevention specialist at the Philadelphia Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
WATCH the complete interview with Robert Suttle:
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