This weekend, New York rapper Mykki Blanco made a personal announcement to his fans: he is HIV positive.
The musician born Michael Quattlebaum Jr. revealed that the diagnosis came back in 2011, which was the year before his musical breakthrough. In other words, he has been HIV positive for his entire career. A Facebook post from yesterday evening (June 12) explains:
Ive been HIV Positive since 2011, my entire career. fuck stigma and hiding in the dark, this is my real life. I'm healthy I've toured the world 3 times but ive been living in the dark, its time to actually be as punk as i say I am
After this initial statement, Blanco went to respond to numerous supportive messages from fans. In one comment, the musician wrote, "its just today for everyone else knowing but its been 5 years for me, meds, garlic, limes,yogurt lol world travel. I just cant be an image living in fear having people call me brave and it being a lie. Thank you for your support."
Blanco is currently in Portland for Pride celebrations, and he commented, "no more living a lie. HAPPY PRIDE."
The musician born Michael Quattlebaum Jr. revealed that the diagnosis came back in 2011, which was the year before his musical breakthrough. In other words, he has been HIV positive for his entire career. A Facebook post from yesterday evening (June 12) explains:
Ive been HIV Positive since 2011, my entire career. fuck stigma and hiding in the dark, this is my real life. I'm healthy I've toured the world 3 times but ive been living in the dark, its time to actually be as punk as i say I am
After this initial statement, Blanco went to respond to numerous supportive messages from fans. In one comment, the musician wrote, "its just today for everyone else knowing but its been 5 years for me, meds, garlic, limes,yogurt lol world travel. I just cant be an image living in fear having people call me brave and it being a lie. Thank you for your support."
Blanco is currently in Portland for Pride celebrations, and he commented, "no more living a lie. HAPPY PRIDE."
