Shawn Decker
Book: My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure
Infected with HIV in the 1980s as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade, missing the last two weeks at a school that he had attended since Kindergarten.
Victory, however, would ultimately be his. Two years after being crowned Homecoming King his senior year of high school, Shawn became one of the first people to go public with their HIV status online in 1996. His site was featured on MTV, he was invited to the White House on World AIDS Day to meet Vice President Al Gore and his humorous column, Positoid, was well-received in Poz Magazine and shed light on the perspective of a small-town, straight guy trying to date with HIV.
At age 23, Shawn's HIV educational efforts really took off when he met his future -wife partner- and HIV educator, Gwenn Barringer.
As a sero-diverse couple, Shawn and Gwenn's healthy relationship and anti-stigma messaging has reached millions of people via speaking events, writing and media appearances. Their love story inspired the creation and inclusion of a pos/neg romantic storyline on MTV Shuga Naija. Shawn's humorous memoir, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006 and received a starred Kirkus Review.
For over two decades, Shawn and Gwenn have taken every opportunity to educate the public while also simply living their lives. From the early days of discussing effective condom use to today: the effectiveness of Shawn's HIV medications make it impossible for him to transmit the virus (U=U).
So much has changed since they fell in love, but one thing remains the same: Shawn and Gwenn's unique ability to approach sensitive subject matter with humor, candor and an open heart.
Shawn recommends:SaveOneLife.com - They provide hemophilia medication to communities that struggle to receive it among other things. Please "Make Donations in honor of Barry Haarde", Barry was a member of the hemophilia community that cycled to raise money for Save One Life. He dealt with hemophilia, HIV and hepatitis C which has taken more blood brothers and sisters over the last couple of decades than HIV... he passed in 2018.
These are some of the Foundations we support.
Wont you please consider making even a $25.00 donation?
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
https://broadwaycares.org/Elton John AIDS Foundation
https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
https://elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
https://amfar.gospringboard.com/secure/fuel-lifesaving-research/
