An Australian man who works as a reporter for ABC’s Los Angeles affiliate has revealed that he is HIV positive, sharing the news in a moving social media post.
In the original post, Karl Schmid wrote: "Hi. I’m a 37 year old HIV positive man who has been positive for almost 10 years. 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'."
He continued: "For 10 years I’ve struggled with 'do I or don’t I?'
"For 10 years the stigma and industry professionals have said, 'don’t! It’ll ruin you.'"
"But here’s the thing. I’m me. I’m just like you. I have a big heart and I want to be loved and accepted. 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. To be accepted and loved by our friends and family and to be encouraged by our peers."
Schmid went on to send his message to others living with HIV, saying: "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 wrote.
"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. And don’t let anybody tell you otherwise."
"I’m Karl Schmid, and I’m an HIV-positive man!" He concluded.
Schmid later said that he was touched by the response to his post.
"Today has been insanely overwhelming," he wrote.
He continued: "I had NO idea that me sharing something would have such an impact. For those of you who dm’d with your stories THANK YOU."
Schmid was raised in Geelong and worked for TVNZ, Foxtel, BBC and ITV before moving to Los Angeles to pursue entertainment reporting in 2008. His brother is actor Kristian Schmid, who most recently played the role of Mick Jennings on Home and Away.
