TV presenter Karl Schmid reveals he’s HIV-positive

Karl Schmid, a correspondent for ABC, said that he was diagnosed a decade ago, but had been persuaded not to come out by others in the media.

This time, he said he had come to stand tall and stand proud for his happiness.

Schmid, who co-hosted reality show Operation: Vacation during its two seasons from 2013 to 2014 and has covered the Oscars, encouraged others who were HIV-positive to do the same.

“Hi,” he began. “I’m a 37-year-old HIV+ man who has been poz for almost 10 years.

“I may be on TV from time to time, but at the end of the day I’m just an average guy who wants want we all want,” he continued.

“To be accepted and loved by our friends and family and to be encouraged by our peers.”

So here’s what I say, stand tall, and stand proud. You can’t make everybody happy but you can make you happy. And so long as you tell the truth, you will never have to remember anything.

“Labels are things that come and go but your dignity and who you are is what defines you,” he told the world.

“I know who I am, I know what I stand for and while in the past I may not have always had clarity, I do now.

“Love me or hate me, that’s up to you.

“But, for anyone who has ever doubted themselves because of those scary three letters and one symbol, let me tell you this, you are somebody who matters.

“Your feelings, your thoughts, your emotions count,” he writes. “And don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. I’m Karl Schmid, and I’m an HIV-positive man! #whatisrememberedlives”.

The next day, he posted on Twitter to thank everyone for the response, writing: “Today has been insanely overwhelming.

“I work in television. And on the side of the camera where for better or worse it’s considered taboo for people like me to be like me.”

Source: Pink News