Jonathan Van Ness, one of the hosts of the beloved makeover show Queer Eye, has come out as HIV positive.
He revealed his HIV status — as well as opened up about his experiences with sexual abuse and drug addiction — in his new memoir Over the Top. Now 32, Van Ness discovered he was HIV positive at age 25, when he fainted while highlighting a client's hair in a salon. He had flulike symptoms, so he went to Planned Parenthood, where he received his diagnosis.
Speaking with the New York Times, Van Ness said this about his status:
When Queer Eye came out, it was really difficult because I was like, "Do I want to talk about my status?" And then I was like, "The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatization of the LGBT community thrive around me." I do feel the need to talk about this.
Despite his openness in revealing his status, Van Ness also said, "I've had nightmares every night for the past three months because I'm scared to be this vulnerable with people."
Over the Top comes out September 24
He revealed his HIV status — as well as opened up about his experiences with sexual abuse and drug addiction — in his new memoir Over the Top. Now 32, Van Ness discovered he was HIV positive at age 25, when he fainted while highlighting a client's hair in a salon. He had flulike symptoms, so he went to Planned Parenthood, where he received his diagnosis.
Speaking with the New York Times, Van Ness said this about his status:
When Queer Eye came out, it was really difficult because I was like, "Do I want to talk about my status?" And then I was like, "The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatization of the LGBT community thrive around me." I do feel the need to talk about this.
Despite his openness in revealing his status, Van Ness also said, "I've had nightmares every night for the past three months because I'm scared to be this vulnerable with people."
Over the Top comes out September 24
