Rasheed Gonga

📍 NYC / 🇯🇲 Born / 🏃 Runner / 🏳️‍🌈 Advocate

In 2017, I completed the Chicago Marathon. This was, by far, the most physically challenging thing I have ever done in my life. There were several moments, namely when my left hip locked up on me, where I debated throwing in the towel; but every time I was faced with the choice of giving up or staying the course, I remembered why I decided to run this race.

A month after the marathon, I turned 30 years old and, a few days after that, marked 3 years since my diagnosed HIV+ status. The day I found out, I remember crying like I had never done before; I thought my life as I knew it was over. For months, I replayed every choice I had ever made in my life: what if I had ended this relationship sooner? What if I had not gotten into that relationship? What if I hadn’t come out? What if I had chosen to be the son / nephew / grandson my family had always expected me to be?

For 3 years after my diagnosis, I wore it as my personal scarlet letter. For 3 years, I bowed my head in shame and have allowed my life to be ruled by fear, but that ended in 2020! Today, I am a proud advocate for the community with the Aids Health Foundation.

In the words of @rachelplatten, “This is my fight song/ Take back my life song/ Prove that I’m alright song.” I am not afraid! I am not ashamed!

I am [+]ly.me!