Find the original article here: https://www.poz.com/article/2024-poz-icons
According to Merriam-Webster, an icon is “a person or thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.” An icon transcends fame or recognition; an icon is set apart not just by achievements but also by an ability to inspire and connect with people on a profound level.
Icons use their platforms to effect change, inspire others and foster community. Icons shape our narratives about ourselves and one another and are integral to our shared cultural tapestry. They remind us of the power of influence and the potential within each of us to make a meaningful impact.
Icons are often polarizing. They can stir controversy, challenge norms or ignite passion. They spark conversations around social justice and advocate for change. Their courage in confronting difficult issues enhances their status as icons.
To commemorate 30 years of serving the HIV and AIDS community, POZ is launching POZ Icons, an annual tribute to individuals, both living and deceased, who have made lasting contributions to the HIV community.
This year, we’re thrilled to recognize Hydeia Broadbent, Cecilia Chung, Dennis deLeon, Sean
Strub and Phill Wilson as the 2024 POZ Icons. Their legacies continue to influence generations, reminding us of the struggles and triumphs that shape our collective history.
We are grateful for all they’ve done to fight HIV and AIDS.
Hydeia Broadbent
A courageous advocate and a messenger of hope
By Andy Feds
Born with HIV, Hydeia Broadbent began publicly sharing her story and speaking about HIV at age 6. In 1992, she appeared on a Nickelodeon special about HIV with basketball star Magic Johnson. She later appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America and many other national programs. In 1996, Hydeia addressed the Republican National Convention and read a poem she wrote, the last line of which was: “I am the future, and I have AIDS.”
As a fellow person born with HIV, I followed her career my entire life. Hydeia was a hero to many, many people. She educated people about HIV through her work with the Magic Johnson Foundation, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and other AIDS organizations.
I was fortunate to be friends with Hydeia and stood by her side until the end of her historic life. I learned so much from this woman, and I wanted to be sure that she knew how much she meant to me and the world. When I moved to Las Vegas in 2017, I met Hydeia in person, and we became friends very quickly. She allowed me to pick her brain about advocacy, humanitarianism and life in general. She went from being a hero to a friend to a big sister. I spent the last few months of her life at her bedside, providing the same supportive friendship that she gave me in the hope that she would make a quick recovery and get back to influencing others.
Hydeia’s story and legacy have helped many people living with HIV learn a single word: hope. Fearlessly battling HIV- and AIDS-related stigma, Hydeia opened the door for many people living with the virus and helped them understand that they can live a long, healthy and happy life. Although physically, Hydeia left us earlier this year, there’s no doubt in my mind that her name will carry weight for a very long time! Andy Feds is a stand-up comedian and global HIV and AIDS advocate.
KEY DATES
1984 – Hydeia Broadbent is born.
1987– Hydeia’s adoptive parents learn that she is living with HIV.
1992 – Hydeia appears on the Nickelodeon television special A Conversation with Magic
1996 – Hydeia addresses the Republican National Convention with activist Mary Fisher.
1997 – Hydeia receives the Pedro Zamora Memorial Award for Youth Advocacy from AIDS Action.
1999 Mariah Carey presents Hydeia with an Essence Award for her activism.
2002 Hydeia and her mother publish their memoir, You Get Past the Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival.
2008 Hydeia is named one of Ebony’s “150 Most Influential African Americans.” She makes the list again in 2011.
2012 Hydeia appears in the CDC campaign “Let’s Stop HIV Together.”
2014 Hydeia appears on a Where Are They Now? special on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
2024 Hydeia dies at age 39.
A trailblazing advocate for equality and dignity
By Shelby Chestnut
Cecilia Chung
Cecilia Chung is a true legend. Not only is she a tireless advocate and trailblazer for transgender rights, but she is also a beacon of hope and transformation for countless individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond particularly for those living with HIV.
Her life’s work is nothing short of extraordinary. Spanning decades and crossing borders,
Cecilia has taken the challenges she has faced and turned them into a driving force for change. From overcoming personal struggles to becoming an international advocate,
Cecilia’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice. Her impact is undeniable. As the first transgender woman and the first Asian American to lead the board of directors of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration, Cecilia shattered
ceilings and paved the way for others to follow. Her visionary leadership of the Transgender Law Center, where she played an instrumental role in creating Positively
Trans a national network supporting trans people living with HIV has had a transformative effect on health care, housing and legal protections for all. Her influence has reached the highest levels of government, as demonstrated by her appointment to President Barack Obama’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
Cecilia’s work has changed lives not just those of trans people or people living with HIV but also those of everyone fighting for equality and dignity. Her leadership has shaped policies that ensure that people can live with hope, access health care and enjoy the dignity
we all deserve. Cecilia is more than a leader; she is a mentor, a visionary and a relentless advocate for the rights and lives of the most marginalized.
Because of her unwavering fight and profound dedication, we are, without question, a better and more compassionate society. We honor the powerful legacy Cecilia continues to
build and thank her for inspiring us, leading us and reminding us all that true liberation is within our reach.
Shelby Chestnut is the executive director of the Transgender Law Center.
KEY DATES
1993
1994
2002
2004
2005
2012
2012
2013
Cecilia Chung is diagnosed with HIV.
Cecilia joins the San Francisco Transgender Discrimination Task Force.
Cecilia joins the board of the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center.
Cecilia becomes a founding producer of the Trans March.
Cecilia becomes the first deputy director of the Transgender Law Center.
Cecilia is appointed to the San Francisco Health Commission.
Cecilia is presented with the Levi Strauss and Co. Pioneer Award.
Cecilia is appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS by President Barack Obama.
2015 Cecilia launches Positively Trans, a network to address stigma and inequity.
2017 Cecilia’s life story inspires a character on the ABC miniseries When We Rise.
2020 Cecilia receives a NAAAP100 Award, which recognizes exemplary leaders in the Asian community.
Dennis deLeon
A passionate leader and an inspiration to others
By Guillermo Chacon
Human rights lawyer, advocate, community leader and role model these are just a few of the titles for which Dennis deLeon will be remembered. His larger-than-life approach to the world will live on in our minds and hearts forever. Dennis was born in Los Angeles in 1948.
He attended Occidental College, where he served as student body president. Shortly after graduating from college, he attended Stanford Law School and began practicing law in 1974. From the start of his career through the 1980s, Dennis built a distinguished legal career in Washington, DC, and California.
In the early ’80s, he moved to New York City, where he held appointed positions and was a civic leader. In 1990, when David Dinkins became mayor, Dennis served as director of transition for the new administration. That same year, Mayor Dinkins named him the city’s commissioner of human rights. While serving in this role, he announced in an opinion letter published in The New York Times in 1993 that he was living with HIV. His brave announcement was crucial in raising awareness and challenging the social stigma associated with HIV.
In September 1994, Dennis became the second president of the Latino Commission on AIDS. His passionate leadership and advocacy skills helped launch the commission’s platform, shaping the commission into the reputable and prominent local, regional and national community-based organization it is today. In 1995, Dennis hired me as a
community organizer. From the outset, his dedication to being a voice for the voiceless in our movement and his wish to design a world without AIDS were a source of inspiration. He became a mentor to me, and I was honored when he promoted me to vice president.
We aim to honor the legacy of leaders who paved our way, like Dennis, through our daily actions until together, we end HIV and eradicate all forms of stigma especially homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia in every family and community.
Guillermo Chacon is the president of the Latino Commission on AIDS.
KEY DATES
1974 Dennis deLeon earns a law degree from Stanford University.
1982 New York City Mayor Ed Koch appoints Dennis as senior assistant corporation counsel.
1986 Dennis is appointed director of the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Concerns.
1986 Dennis tests positive for HIV.
1988 Dennis is named Manhattan deputy borough president.
1990 Mayor David Dinkins appoints Dennis as New York City’s human rights commissioner, making him the highest-ranking LGBTQ city official at the time.
1990 Dennis joins the board of Housing Works, which works to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS, and later serves as board chair.
1993 Dennis publicly shares his HIV status in an op-ed in The New York Times.
1994 Dennis becomes president of the Latino Commission on AIDS.
2009 Dennis dies of heart failure at age 61.
Sean Strub
An innovative champion for people living with HIV
By Mark S. King
Sean Strub will be terribly uncomfortable when he learns he has been named a POZ Icon.
He’ll probably blush, even if you would have to look closely for the tint in his cheeks. His stoic Iowa roots constitutionally prevent him from signs of untethered ego.
Sean will undoubtedly begin to recite the names of other, worthier HIV and AIDS figures he believes have similarly changed our community’s landscape. He won’t mention that he provided crucial guidance to most of them. His eye for talent and potential is unmatched, and he has nurtured it in our most consequential leaders for decades.
His launch of POZ magazine in 1994 is a feat easily taken for granted today, when people living with HIV are more likely to proudly appear in public media. Starting a slick, colorful magazine dedicated to the lives and opinions of people living with the most stigmatized disease of the century is truly nothing less than visionary.
People had another word for it at the time. They thought he was nuts. But those critics didn’t realize what Sean always knew: Our creative, provocative community has the guts and fortitude to turn our lived experience into fascinating, inspirational content. The magazine was an immediate sensation.
It is worth noting that Sean accomplished this while teetering on the thin edge of his own mortality, leading editorial meetings while covered in Kaposi sarcoma lesions and with no promise he would live to see each issue make it to the printer.
Sean is still very much alive, serving as mayor of the idyllic town of Milford in a deeply conservative Pennsylvania county, because his love and committed service to the town he calls home crosses party lines. Since founding an unlikely magazine, Sean has been at the forefront of other uphill climbs, such as helping to bring Undetectable Equals Untransmittable into the public lexicon and creating The Sero Project to address the criminalization of people living with HIV.
I salute Sean for all of this but perhaps most of all for the publication you are reading right now. Sean is a visionary, a hometown hero and absolutely a POZ Icon.
Mark S. King is a GLAAD Award–winning writer and the author of My Fabulous Disease:
Chronicles of a Gay Survivor.
KEY DATES
1985 Sean Strub is diagnosed with HIV after having symptoms since 1980.
1990 Sean runs for Congress, becoming the first person living openly with HIV to do so.
1991
Sean and other AIDS activists put a giant condom over U.S. Senator Jesse Helms’s home.
1992 Sean produces The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, a one-man show by David Drake.
1994 Sean launches POZ magazine.
2009 Sean joins the board of directors of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS.
2010 Sean cofounds the Positive Justice Project, a national coalition working to end HIV criminalization.
2010 Sean produces the documentary short film HIV Is Not a Crime
2013 Sean becomes the executive director of Sero Project.
2014 Sean releases his memoir, Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS and Survival 2017 Sean is elected mayor of Milford, Pennsylvania. He had been appointed to the position in 2016.
A visionary leader known for empowering generations
By Raniyah Copeland
Phill Wilson
Phill Wilson is the epitome of a leader who uplifts others as he rises. His legacy represents the best of Black leadership, touching countless lives and inspiring positive change across communities.
From my early days at the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), which Phill led, I was struck by his ability to transform the devastation of the AIDS pandemic into a powerful force for hope and action. His experience during those years, marked by a close proximity to loss, shaped his leadership with a resilience and purpose that have become his hallmark. Today, his influence is felt through the work of the Black decision-makers and organizations reshaping our social fabric. Phill’s leadership extends beyond himself; it lives on in the many people he has inspired.
Phill’s “unapologetically Black” vision and his deep commitment to uplifting Black communities have driven every initiative at the institute. From creating the African
American HIV University and the Black Treatment Advocates Network to engaging Black Hollywood, Phill has been a trailblazer in the fight against HIV. His contributions have been integral to every success in the fight against HIV in Black America. There are few Black leaders and advocates in the HIV movement who have not been inspired or impacted by Phill’s leadership.
Phill and I share a special bond. As my mentor, he opened doors, advocated for me before I even entered the room and created opportunities that we both knew would uplift our people. He has always been insightful, understanding when to step back and pass the baton.
At that critical moment, he entrusted the organization he had built over two decades to a new generation, confident in their ability to carry on his mission.
While the transition at BAI didn’t unfold exactly as he had envisioned, he continues to inspire by supporting Black-led organizations beyond the HIV movement. He has shown us the power of mentorship and shared leadership. Let us follow his example, embracing the next generation while guiding them as we all continue our collective journey toward progress.
Raniyah Copeland is the founder of Equity & Impact Solutions and a former CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.
KEY DATES
1981 Phill Wilson begins to experience symptoms of HIV.
1982 Phill moves to Los Angeles and joins the National Association of Black and White Men
Together.
1990 Phill is named AIDS coordinator for Los Angeles.
1990 Phill becomes cochair of the Los Angeles HIV Health Commission.
1993 Phill becomes the director of policy and planning at AIDS Project Los Angeles.
1995 Phill becomes a member of the Health Resources and Services Administration AIDS Advisory Committee.
1999 Phill creates the Black AIDS Institute, a national think tank focusing on HIV in the Black community.
1999 Phill is inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.
2001 Phill receives the Leadership for a Changing World award from the Ford Foundation.
2010 Phill is appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS by President Barack Obama.
2018 Phill steps down as president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.
Written by HIV Activist & CANFAR Ambassador Randy Davis
A New Chapter: Building Community and Mobilizing Change at REACH Nexus
I am thrilled to share some exciting news: I’ve recently joined REACH Nexus as a Research CoordinatorCommunity Mobilizer. This role represents a significant milestone in my journey as an advocate for HIV awareness, education, and community empowerment. It’s not just a job; it’s a chance to help shape a future where people living with HIV thrive without stigma, inequity, or barriers to care.
A Personal Mission
As many of you know, I was diagnosed with HIV in February 2015. That moment reshaped my life, not just in terms of health but also in how I see the world and my place in it. My
diagnosis was a turning point, leading me to dedicate myself to breaking down stigma and supporting others living with HIV. It also brought me closer to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, whose strength and resilience continue to inspire me every day.
This new role at REACH Nexus aligns perfectly with my personal mission. It gives me the opportunity to connect with diverse communities, address systemic gaps, and advocate for meaningful change in the way HIV is understood and treated in Canada.
What Is REACH Nexus?
REACH Nexus is a national network focused on research and innovation to address HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). By combining research, community collaboration, and technology, REACH Nexus seeks to eliminate health disparities and ensure equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment for all.
The work here is deeply collaborative, involving researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and, most importantly, the communities affected. This is where my role as a Community Mobilizer comes in—bridging the gap between research and the lived realities of people in our communities.
What I’ll Be Doing
As a Community Mobilizer, my work revolves around fostering connections, amplifying voices, and creating pathways for community-led action. Some of my key responsibilities include:
• Engaging Communities: Collaborating with individuals and organizations to identify needs, strengths, and solutions specific to their experiences with HIV and STBBIs.
• Knowledge Translation: Turning research findings into accessible, actionable tools and resources that communities can use to improve their well-being and advocate for themselves.
• Reducing Stigma: Working to dismantle the misconceptions and biases surrounding HIV, particularly in 2SLGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities.
• Building Partnerships: Strengthening relationships with community-based organizations, public health institutions, and policymakers to ensure sustainable impact.
Why This Work Matters
HIV advocacy has come a long way, but there is still much to do. Stigma and misinformation remain persistent challenges, and systemic inequities disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including Indigenous, Black, and newcomer communities, as well as the 2SLGBTQIA+ population. These issues demand more than just research; they require actionable solutions that are rooted in the lived experiences of those affected.
I also believe in the power of undetectable = untransmittable (U=U) messaging, which has transformed how we talk about HIV. It’s a scientific truth that someone with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually. Yet many people, even within our own communities, still aren’t aware of this game-changing fact. Part of my work will involve ensuring that U=U reaches everyone it needs to, fostering hope and empowerment.
Gratitude and Vision
I wouldn’t be here without the incredible support of my husband, whose love and encouragement have been a constant source of strength. To my friends, colleagues, and mentors you’ve all played a role in shaping the advocate I am today. And to the HIV community, thank you for your courage and resilience; you’ve taught me that advocacy is both a responsibility and a privilege.
Looking ahead, I am excited to build on the incredible work REACH Nexus has already done and to contribute to a future where every person, regardless of their HIV status, can live with dignity and opportunity.
Let’s Connect
This role isn’t just about me it’s about us. If you’re an advocate, an ally, or someone curious about how you can make a difference, I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that no one is left behind.
Thank you for your support as I embark on this new chapter. I’ll be sharing updates on my journey and the work we’re doing at REACH Nexus, so stay tuned. Here’s to building stronger, healthier communities—together.
https://www.facebook.com/PozplanetMagazine2019
Kidney and liver transplants between people with HIV get green light under new HHS rule.
By Jacqueline Howard, CNN
The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced a final rule removes clinical research requirements for kidney and liver transplants for people with HIV.
People in the United States who have HIV and need kidney or liver transplants can now receive organs from donors who also have HIV without having to be part of a research study. The new federal rule is expected to reduce wait times and expand access to organ transplants, according to the Biden administration.
“This rule removes unnecessary barriers to kidney and liver transplants, expanding the organ donor pool and improving outcomes for transplant recipients with HIV,” US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a news release Tuesday.
RELATED ARTICLE Moms with HIV can breastfeed if taking treatment and virus is undetectable, pediatricians’ group says
Before 2013, the United States did not permit HIV-positive organ donations. HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the body’s immune system, and if not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS.
The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, passed in 2013, allowed researchers to conduct studies of organ transplants from donors with HIV to recipients with HIV.
With the rule that went into effect Wednesday, kidney and liver transplants involving donors and recipients with HIV are no longer required to be part of clinical research.
“This new policy is a significant step forward in expanding access and reducing wait times for life-saving organ transplants for people with HIV,” Carole Johnson, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, said in Tuesday’s news release.
Research suggests that the use of antiretroviral drugs and advances in managing HIV infections have helped make solid organ transplants in people with HIV safer and more efficacious.
In 2016, the world’s first kidney and liver transplantations –involving a deceased donor with HIV and recipients with HIV –were performed. Then in 2019, an Atlanta woman became the world’s first living kidney donor with HIV. She donated her organ to someone who also had HIV.
RELATED ARTICLE FDA paves way for more gay and bisexual men to donate blood with new risk-based assessment
In September, HHS proposed removing the clinical research requirements in an effort to expand access to organ transplantation for people with HIV.
The final rule applies specifically to kidney and liver transplants, “for which the evidence is robust,” according to HHS. But the National Institutes of Health is seeking public comment on a proposed revision to the research criteria for the transplantation of other types of organs, such as heart, lung and pancreas, involving donors and recipients with HIV. The comment period ends December 12.
The new change in regulations for kidney and liver transplants is based on data demonstrating that these transplants between people with HIV are safe and effective, according to HHS.
One study, published in October in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that in people with HIV, kidney transplantation using organs from deceased donors who also had HIV was comparable to transplantation using organs from donors who didn’t have HIV.
The study included data on 198 people with HIV who received a kidney from a deceased person. Half of them received a kidney from a donor with HIV and the other half from a donor without HIV.
The researchers, from Johns Hopkins University and other US institutions, found that the recipients’ survival rates, risk of rejecting the donor organ and other outcomes were similar whether the donor had HIV or not.
“The safety of organs from HIV-positive donors is no longer in question; these organs result in excellent graft survival. The introduction of a second viral strain has no clinically significant
effect,” Dr. Elmi Muller of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, who has performed transplantations involving donors and recipients with HIV, wrote in an editorial that accompanied the study.
“Rejection rates are lower with newer-generation HIV drugs, which have minimal interactions with immunosuppressive drugs, than with earlier HIV drugs,” she wrote. “These results will have far-reaching effects in many countries that do not perform transplantations with these organs and will create an opportunity for patients living with HIV to become organ donors, while alive or after death. Above all, we have taken yet another step toward fairness and equality for persons living with HIV.”
I originally met today's featured person when I was DJ-ing for the closing party of the show "Rock Of Ages". The first thing I noticed was he was the life of the party. I was dressed as my drag persona, Jade Elektra. Little did I know our paths would cross again in such a significant way. I am a CANFAR Ambassador and went to a photo shoot for their World AIDS Day campaign and he was there. We chatted in between the cameras flashing and he disclosed his status and what he was working on for the future. So, today I am happy to introduce you to Joey Arrigo.
AK: Joey...so nice to see you today. How are you doing?
JA: I am wonderful, thank you! I’m honoured to share my story here with POZPLANET.
AK: I'm excited to learn more about you. I mean...I know a few of things (which we will get to later) but I'm curious about where you come from. Could you tell me a little about your background? Who is Joey Arrigo?
JA: My background as an artist is based in my extensive dance training that brought me to some heights of my career on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and on tour with Cirque du Soleil. These opportunities opened doors for me to explore acting, singing aerial acrobatics and drag through a number of live stage, film and television projects, including ROCK OF AGES at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto, and winner of Best Music Video in the Toronto Art Haus Film Festival for “VITA LOVE”. I most recently released my music video for my original song “GET DOWN” alongside multiple remixes from world renowned DJs. I am now focusing my energy helping people to find freedom in their bodies through dance and yoga
AK: So, here comes one of the personal questions...when did you find out you were HIV+ and what was that experience like for you?
JA: I have been living with HIV for 8 years, and my experience certainly hasn’t been what I had expected it to be upon my diagnosis in September of 2016. While on tour with Cirque du Soleil in 2016, I became ill, far past any cold or flu I had encountered before. Up until 2016, my only knowledge of HIV&AIDS came from movies, TV and plays telling stories of the earliest darkest day of HIV; RENT, Queer as Folk, The Normal Heart and Angels in America, to name a few. As I watched these characters navigate this very unknown and painful road, my brain fictionalized these stories as a defence mechanism. I thought “If I don’t think about it, it won’t get me”. I even sat with denial upon my diagnosis. Once this became real for me, all these characters also became very real, as I was now standing in their shoes. Without any further knowledge, I accepted the fate that my story would end as tragically as theirs did; but that did not happen
AK: Compared to an old-timer like me you're a newbie. I was diagnosed back in 1990. It was a completely different world back then. I didn't really go public about my status until I moved to Canada back in 2010. I mean...I was responsible enough to disclose to my partners but never dreamed of announcing it to the world. What made you decide to come out and how did you become a CANFAR Ambassador?
JA: This is my truth. It is a part of me. The sooner we are able to integrate our darkness into our truth, It doesn’t feel as dark anymore. We have given it the energy it deserves to inform us to live better because of our truth. Had I heard more stories about those living strong and resilient with HIV, I may have taken the news of my diagnosis with a little more strength and hope that I would be okay. My hope is that my story can help others through their times of struggle as well
AK: So, a couple of things I do know about you are that you are a dancer, and you were a drag personality here in Toronto. Are you still a dancer and could you tell us about your drag persona?
JA: I am certainly still a dancer! Dance is something that has always been such a big part of my life and still is. While I teach multiple classes each week at The Underground Dance Centre and dance with Transcendence Dance Project’s Immersive Theatre Productions, dance is something that brings joy to my body and allows me to process emotions and thoughts in the best way I know how. Something that used to be seen as a talent and skill for a career now remains as a channel to live happier and healthier.
During the 2020 pandemic I returned home to Toronto and began to venture into the world of DRAG, where I met one of my next greatest teachers. As I channeled my feminine, goddess energy, I met the fiery diva inside me; The Star, VITA LOVE. Vita could be seen dancing and flipping around church street, quite naked and covered in rhinestones. Vita was called into existence because Joey couldn’t be strong right now. While I had so many unresolved parts of myself, Vita stepped up and said “I got you, baby. Let me flip for these kids and make some coin. You go heal!”
Vita was the full embodiment of what it meant to THRIVE with HIV. After all, The T in VITA was and is a plus sign, to proudly hold Joey’s truth for him before he was strong enough to hold it himself.
Vita will always live with me as my strongest internal caregiver. Earlier this year, Vita and I decided to part ways because Vita’s mission was complete. I was strong enough to be me again, under my own name, expressing my full truth with the integration of my light and dark.
AK: The other thing I know about you is that you are a recording artist (like myself). How long have you been singing and where can we find your music?
JA: Music is something that has always been a big part of my life, growing up in a musical family. During my time performing in Rock of Ages, singing 80s rock music every night (my favourite), I wanted to explore recording music and song writing. My music is available on apple music and spotify, along with my new music video “GET DOWN” which made its way to the Top 16 on the UK Pop Club Kid Charts.
AK: Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. We here at POZPLANET Magazine love to shine a spotlight on people who are making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thank you for your service, sir. Before I let you let go, I have one more question. What advice would you give to a young person who has been newly diagnosed?
JA: I would want someone who is newly diagnosed to know all that although they may have found themselves in this unlucky situation, this happened on a luckier day in age. This is something that can be controlled to an extent and can come with many lessons to help us live smarter and stronger moving forward. I would also want them to know that their process and journey with HIV is theirs and only theirs to move through. Emotions and thoughts will arise and will teach us things about ourselves that we may not like, but we will inevitably become stronger by processing these feelings.
AK: Thank you again and I am looking forward to us working together in the future...as ambassadors or maybe even collaborating on some music projects. It's up to you.
Listen to the mix here: https://www.mixcloud.com/djrelentlessny/ear-candy-january-2025
Download your free video of this mix here: https://mega.nz/file/s3sCgSAR#mKP4_Ya6RFDOKPHq4NNzRf7zIJFe2lWU5KsfO8yjf8A
Subscribe to DJ Relentless’ Mixcloud page: https://www.mixcloud.com/djrelentlessny Follow DJ Relentless’ HearThis page: https://hearthis.at/djrelentlesstoronto
It's a NEW YEAR and it's time to take a look at what's new as far as trends, tracks and remixes.
To start off our first mix of 2025 I decided to show you a glimpse of Trump’s America “90s Rap Mashup” by Austin Williams. You know back in the late 90s early 2000s I would have been impressed to hear a white guy rap and keep prefect timing to the rhythm. Artists like Vanilla Ice and Eminem held their own and became huge Pop Icons in their time. But now I look at the transformation of Country music and I feel dread. Cultural Appropriation is what comes to mind. Knowing that some redneck racist is going to hear this track and feel like this is his jam makes me kinda sick. ‘Cuz I know there are some good ol’ boys who like Hip Hop but don’t want to admit that it comes from the very people they hate. It’s almost as bad as Trump playing “YMCA” at his rallies and everyone denying it’s a Gay Anthem.
So, I had to follow that one with a real Hip Hop track from today….“Benefits” by BlakeIANA featuring Tee Grizzley. I have decided that the state of this genre is a symptom of the institutionalized racism that keeps people in their lane. Maybe the reason that most Hip Hop songs today are about sex and money is because these are the only fantasies that my people can have. I miss the days of actual messages from De La Soul, Public Enemy, Arrested
Development. Today’s Hip Hop is disposable. It’s. not gonna last. There’s no substance. It’s just like the social message given out in the 80s during the crack epidemic…the only way out of the ghetto was to play sports, sell drugs or in a body bag. You had no other aspirations. And the same is happening today. Our youth think that a TikTok video is going to launch their careers instead of getting an education. And idiots watch reality TV and dream of the fame.. The more technology we get the stupider we get. And as for this track…I don’t care for it.
Grammy winner Tyla is back with her new single “Push 2 Start”. I’m sorry….maybe I’m just jaded by the turn of events in the world but this is a nice track with no future. It may as well be playing on a P.A. system in a department store. It’s not that memorable and seems like fluff. Good luck on your next Grammy, girl.
Our fourth selection is from a veteran in the Rap Game…Snoop Dogg featuring Jhene Aiko and it’s called “Gorgeous”. Produced by Dr. Dre…there’s just something about that Old Skool production of of reworking a sampled groove that really sells a Hip Hop track. Dre has a great ear. Hell…back in the day Pu6y (or Diddy) had a great ear! Shame there aren’t many clever producers around anymore. So, even though there isn’t anything but a lyric video available I will be playing this one.
I chose the Sefu Show Me Remix of “Bed Chem” by Sabrina Carpenter because it was the only one I could stomach at this point. In the spring of last year suddenly everyone was obsessed with “Espresso”…it was the Summer Jam. But after dissecting her voice and career I found nothing special. By December she had filmed a Christmas special and even
performed “Last Christmas” with another artist whose popularity I don’t understand –Chappell Roan. And no…I did not watch the special. I saw a posting of the clip in my video pool. In my opinion, we are just full on in the moment of mediocrity. We’re swooning like teenagers over shiny things that have no value. The puppet show continues and we watch mindlessly.
And speaking of Old Skool samples, our sixth track dives into an untapped pool for samples…Freestyle “Paradise” by Fat Joe, Anitta & DJ Khaled samples 80s classic “Spring Love” by Stevie B. I’m sure all the mullet-wearing-lesbians that I used to spin for back in Tampa at the Paradise Lounge are probably reminiscing and lovin’ this one. It did
bring back a lot of memories. So, I will be playing this one too.
And to keep this Freestyle sample train goin’ we come to “Squabble Up” by Kendrick Lamar which samples “When I Hear Music” by Debbie Deb. Another great 80s track that always kept my floor packed. You see…this is what I’m talking about! This kind of sampling keeps our rich history alive and relevant. Let’s see some Country artist try this!
Our eighth selection is by Canada’s new version of a Female Popstar…Tate McRae. I said a few articles ago that with the right marketing she could be as big as Justin Bieber Somehow, I don’t think they got the memo. Yes, she’s sexy and can dance (much better than Britney Spears did) but there’s something missing. Her latest single is “2 Hands” (and yes…that implication is correct). Do we need another young girl acting like a whore. Shouldn’t we leave that to Grammy winner Kim Petras? My advice to Tate would be find yourself some good songwriters and create something that will endure. Looking at the price that Bieber had to pay, I would ask myself am I cut out to do what it takes to be a popstar these days and is it the legacy that I would like to leave behind.
And speaking of young girls acting like whores…”Nasty” was a huge hit for Tinashe last year and now she’s back with “No Broke Boys”. Again…what message is being sent here? I followed this with the Pink Panda Remix of “No Scrubs” by TLC to show how this narrative has been going on for a while. No wonder most heterosexual black men feel attacked. You
can’t win! You don’t have the high paying jobs. You don’t have the big flashy cars or huge mansion…so what are your options when women are gold diggers? The Angry Black Man mentality is really going to be very visible over these next four years as White Rich Men are going to be running the U.S. And folk heroes like Luigi Mangione are going to be on the rise. Many folks are going to be angry about how the system is raping our wallets. And taking down photos of the CEOs of these insurance companies is not gonna keep y’all safe. You are gonna have to stop your practices of denying claims to get the American people back into trusting this industry. I heard even spokes person Flo of Progressive has hired security.
Our eleventh selection is a Retro track from the 90s. It’s the Destructo & Wax Motif Remix of “Regulate” by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg. After watching HBO’s documentary on Yacht Rock it brought back all of the Pop radio that I loved in the late 70s and early 80s. And songwriter gods like Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins were the kings of the genre. Warren’s Hip Hop gem samples McDonald’s “Keep Forgettin”. And I love when classic hits are reinvented for a new generation.
Every now then a track just kinda sneaks up on you. Our twelfth track is the Cosmic Dawn Remix of “La La La” by Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith. I skimmed through it when I first downloaded it and didn’t really hear much. But after putting it in this mix I’m kinda hooked. I’ve caught myself singing it while running errands. Guess I like it.
The rise of Teddy Swims has me wondering. Do we have a modern- day Elvis on our hands?
He sings so soulful and Black Radio ate up “Lose Control”. And I notice the label is rushing to get the remixes out. So, it was no surprise when the DJ Dark Remix of his latest “Bad Dreams”. It’s alright. But I think with the inauguration coming up it all seems like a Bad Dream.
Every Christmas I am reminded of the lost of Eartha Kitt and George Michael. I haven’t heard any new remixes of Eartha but her new Integrity doll is fabulous! But there is a new Patch Safari Remix of George’s “Careless Whisper ”. I gotta say this is a really good take on this 80s classic.
And speaking of 80s hits, I was digging through some old files and came across an unreleased remix of a cover of Chaka Khan’s classic “Ain’t Nobody” by Mary J Blige. This was the Quentin Harris Reproduction and I had my friend Robert Thomson do a video edit so I could play it for my gigs. I love this remix and wonder where Quentin is today. His sound might be great for some of these new artists.
Three years ago, I would not have thought that these two artists would be recording together or out as gay. Of course, I am talking about the Junior Senna Remix of “Lovely” by Billie Eilish & Khalid. I always try to support our LGBT artists and I will play this one. But do I love our sixteenth track…not really.
I have to be honest…I know that The Weeknd is one of the most streamed artists on the planet but I don’t love everything he puts out. I wonder what he is going through that he feels like he has to keep on pumping out tracks. His latest is called “ Timeless” featuring
Playboi Cardi and the Beatbreaker NYC Remix was the only version that I’d consider to play but I barely understand his lyrics and it’s all beginning to sound the same.
It’s my job to introduce my listeners to new music. Apparently, these tracks that sound like children are singing the chorus are on the rise and the latest one is “Ocean” by Fisher x AR/CO I believe it takes a very special person to be a parent. My husband and I don’t have that ambitious. And I’m not a fan of hearing children singing while I’m on a dancefloor. So, this ain’t one that I will be playing.
Now earlier at the beginning of this article I talked about a white Country artist rapping and how I didn’t like it. The thing I do like about white rappers is the ones who own their
whiteness. So, Eminem is great and my new favourite is bbno$. From the clever wordplay to actually being kinda sexy he’s definitely building a following. And his latest single is “ Two”. Now, it does have children singing on it and that is distracting for me. I don’t love this track as much as “It Boy” so I’m probably not gonna play this one.
Our twentieth selection I believe is a freestyle mashup of Megan Thee Stallion and Far East Movement on the Dexterous Hype Edit of “Like A Freak”. I love this one and I’m lovin’ that Megan is livin’ huh best life!
Now, if you have read my any of my past reviews of this next artist you know that I am very brutal on GloRilla. I hate her name, and I feel like her style of rapping is just too common and sounds like most of the females I knew when I lived in the projects back in Florida. But I actually found the MNX Club Mix of “ TGIF” to be playable in my sets. I am usually annoyed with those tracks that are in the 140 BPM range but this remix is 130.
And our twenty-second selection to close out our mix is a nod to my days of MTV back in the 80s when they actually played music videos and leaned more into Pop & Rock. It’s the Martial Simon Remix of “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue. I come from Tampa, Florida and many might not know but Tampa was one of the main radio markets for Rock back in the 80s. So, I knew all the hits from back then. I remember not caring very much for
this song but really appreciate being around long enough to hear technology reinvent this Pop song for another generation. I won’t be playing this for a dancefloor but I might use it in a revisited look at the 80s in a retrospective mix.
Don’t forget to get your free download of this month’s mix from the links at the beginning of the article.
Hope you enjoyed the article and the music. And as an added bonus here is a link to a new Video Dance Party I’d like to start for 2025 called BPM:
https://mega.nz/file/VuFBBKIK#8wQUk6CX-255ccxMdhVk8lZ0NmogGKHHzxnx7esxo5c
