Gay, Homeless and HIV positive at 13: Beating the Odds

It’s been a long time since I moved anyone into the slot of “hero” in my book lately.  Naturally I look up to my partner and our son; I think they’re two of the bravest guys I’ve ever met.

Alexandre Ladeira takes the #3 spot in my book.

At 13 years old, he came out to his parents who promptly kicked him out of the house because of his sexual orientation.  He also told them that he was HIV positive, and their response “”they said it was the price I was paying for the life I led.”

Since then he’s learned how not only manage his disease, but he’s become active in movements to fight discrimination against homosexuality and to protect the human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

His accomplishments don’t stop there.  The full article from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is here.

(Hat’s off to my buddy Mel for tipping me to this great story)

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