Breaking the stigma: Stars who spoke out about being HIV positive

HIV is caused by a virus which can spread through sexual contact, sharing of illicit drugs or use of shared needles, and contact with infected blood, according to Mayo Clinic.

Here are the stars who opened up about being HIV positive:

Billy Porter

In May 2021, Billy revealed that he was diagnosed HIV positive in 2007 but did not disclose it as he feared the entertainment industry wouldn't accept him.

It wasn’t until he started playing Pray Tell, an openly queer man with HIV, on the Emmy-winning series Pose, that he decided to share his diagnosis.

“I’m living so that I can tell the story. There's a whole generation that was here, and I stand on their shoulders,” the actor said.

Billy added that he is the healthiest he has ever been in his life.

Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury, the frontman of the rock band Queen, released a statement in 1991 where he opened up about having AIDS.

"Following enormous conjecture in the press, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to protect the privacy of those around me," he said in the statement.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the rock legend passed away just 24 hours after releasing his statement.

Charlie Sheen

In a 2015 interview with Today, the Platoon actor revealed he had been HIV positive for four years.

Charlie was experiencing “crushing headaches,” which he thought might be a brain tumour, but his doctor told him that he was HIV positive.

"It's a hard three letters to absorb," he said, adding, "It's a turning point in one's life."

Eazy-E

The late American rapper was hospitalised in March 1995, right at the height of his stardom.

Eazy-E released a statement at the time, disclosing he had AIDS.

“I’ve learned this last week that this thing is real and it doesn’t discriminate. It affects everyone,” he said.

The rapper died on March 26, 1995, at the young age of 30.

Rock Hudson

The Dynasty actor, who was secretly gay, was the first celebrity to announce he had AIDS.

In 1985, Rock announced the diagnosis, which ultimately also became the cause of his death.