Celebrities Are Heroes For Being Gay or HIV+

[Stacyzee]

Charlie Sheen (image on the left) is an American actor who was infected with HIV in the year 2011. He publicly announced on November 2015 that he is one of the millions who was diagnosed with this retrovirus.

Magic Johnson (image on the right) is a retired American professional basketball player who announced he had HIV in November 1991.

Caitlyn Jenner who was formerly known as Bruce Jenner is an American television personality and retired athletic champion, who announced in April 2015 that he is transgender.

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The everyday person has undisclosed information which may alter the way others percieve them. Since everyones secret differs, the effect or impact of them varies when revealed. Depending on the information, it may be easily overlooked. If the information is "heavy" it's usually much harder to.

The average person that reveals they have HIV (or any incurable disease) is often condemned or ridiculed. Sure, celebrities may face the same judgment but amongst those that harshly judge are the many who are supportive and lend a helping hand. Celebrities often get called "heroes", "courageous", or "brave" by the enormous fanbase they have when they reveal this information.

• The average man or woman has no fanbase.


• The average man or woman is often shunned with few people to look to for support.


• The average man or woman does not get called "heroic" when they reveal this type of information.


• It is common that they are left out in the cold to fend for themselves.

"Michelle" revealed that she feels trapped inside of the wrong body. She wants to live her life the way it was truly meant to be, as a man. When she reveals her secret she is disowned by her family and friends.

"Chris" reveals that he is not physically/mentally attracted to women. He also states that he is in a relationship with a man. He is called derogatory names and kicked out of his home. Many of his family and friends no longer keep contact with him.

There are so many "Michelles" and "Chris" in this world.

Michelle and Chris are the every day people of this Earth. Because they are, they are often never seen as "brave", "heroic", or "courageous". Instead, they are looked down upon and criticized.

No matter what the secret it is that someone holds,

they are immediately defined by it.

If the person doesn't have a high status, it makes that fact must worse.

People,

Lets not let someones financial state determine how "we" view the very same secret that the average person could be holding.

• Whether someone is gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, or trans.


• Whether someone is infected with a incurable disease.


• Whether someone admits to a problem/terrible decision that they've hidden for a while.


• Whether someone admits to being violated in the most terrible way.

Whatever it is that is revealed, if you're going to look at a celebrity as heroic for revealing their secrets. The average person should also be looked at in this light. They too hold the power to influence many. Especially, when they've taken those negative past choices and used them as tools in order to do better in the future.

[RainbowFanGirl]

These people are only seen as "heroes" because they have the publicity, power, and protection from those who disagree. Normal people would be looked down upon if they were to do the same, such as come out as a transgender, or to announce that they have HIV.

[madhatters4]

who on earth said that charlie sheen is a hero for being hiv positive?

[Stacyzee]

:D Lets find those people and get them!

[madhatters4]

haha yeah. the guy is a scum bag. and i'm sorry but he lived a reckless irresponsible life sleeping wtih prostitutes, porn stars, etc (he claims to have slept with 2000 people in 5 years). then add to it intravenous drug use and you are looking at a person who is highly susceptible to STD... we don't give a pat on the back to the druggie on the corner who has STDs so why would we lift up Charlie Sheen...

[Stacyzee]

Yes!
You totally get it! (I can tell people that read my article or at least skim through it btw).
If someone is going to praise Charlie Sheen for revealing his secret and openingly having a drug addiction, those very same people should praise the drug addicts on the corner!!!
That logic only makes sense.
Why do celebs get put on this high pedestal?

Charlie is truly sickening.
I'm shocked he can look at himself in the mirror.
He didn't just do this to himself but all of his children.
This must be very embarrassing for them.

It's one thing to mess up your own life but it's another when you have children involved.

[Anonymous]

I would never consider Charlie Sheen heroic. This is a man who knowingly put himself in harms way, knowingly had unprotected sex for years with prostitutes he knowingly hired, did relentless drugs, alcohol, prison stints, and only "came out" to the world because he was being black mailed. We can love and support our family members, but I too believe that there is a breaking point. How many prison runs, how many drugs, how many prostitutes can you try to warn and protect someone from, especially someone with young children, before you, as the person looking in on this, has to say, enough is enough... you need to help yourself, because I can't do it for you. In most things in life I'm generally a forgiving, generous, empathetic, supportive person, but not for people I've given 12 chances to. My friend's Mom has HIV, contracted from a cheating ex-husband who passed away. I firmly believe that it is the love and support of her family that keeps her going and motivated to live just another day, and another day. She to me is a hero as is my friend's family for all that they do. I agree with a lot of what you said about the stigmas of this disease, but with Charlie, it's like, what did you think was going to happen with the life he's lead. That's not punishing him or judging him, that is the truth of living that type of lifestyle if you can even call it that.

[KHaskins]

The man who took a bullet for a friend when a gunman opened fire on them at a cafe in Paris is a hero.

A celebrity who sleeps around, catches VD and comes out about it instead of letting the rumor mill do it for them is not a hero.

A man with a psychological disorder who gets plastic boobs and makes a weepy spectacle of himself receiving a courage award he didn't earn while hoping the press won't mention him killing someone with his car shortly beforehand CERTAINLY isn't a hero.

It's an insult to genuine heroes to put such people on a pedestal because they're either already in the spotlight or desperately clamoring for it.

[jjmarvin]

We have a special snowflake over here guys

[KHaskins]

@jjmarvin
When last I checked my name wasn't Bruce Jenner. 😋

[Bandit74]

Id upvote this twice if I could

[jjmarvin]

You are equally special and snowflakey sir. You think you're better than at least 1 group of people. That's a special snowflake if I've ever seen one.

[KHaskins]

... people who committed negligent motor vehicle homicide?

[QuestionMan]

Whatever the person's struggle is their friends and relatives should always be by their side.
I support Charlie Sheen for making public that he has HIV. Hopefully this will encourage more research into curing it.

As for Bruce Jenner, I am completely against what he did to himself. I wish people like him would seek mental help instead of mutilating their body. As a society we need to encourage our mental health professionals to admit persons with gender identity disorder for treatment instead of just accepting them when they make the wrong choice.

I've recently become more accepting of homosexuals since I've come to the conclusion that it is a biological disorder. If there is something we can do for them, it would be great if not than they can at least stop being extremely flamboyant and forcing people to accept their lifestyle.

[sdistotallyme]

SPOT ON. Unfortunately you are going to persecuted by rainbow brownshirts lead by the PC principal. I'm actually surprised some PC moderator hasn't deleted and blocked your account for making a rational statement. I notice that the rainbow left actually gets more upset and threatened by logical arguments than simple childish outbursts. Either it's too rational and over their head or they deep down they know it's true and the TRUTH hurts.

With that said I sympathize for HIV+ people. It is a death sentence and has a horrible stigma attached. Although I never approved of Charlie Sheen's crazy lifestyle... in reality all it takes is one night with the wrong person. Although I do blame gay men for spreading this around in the early days (late 80s and early 90s). However the liberal media, public education and hollywood have done excellent job of downplaying that. At rate you are NOT A HERO for being gay or even being HIV+. Stop getting it twisted.

[QuestionMan]

@sdistotallyme Personally I was fascinated by Charlie Sheen's lifestyle. I found it quite provocative and untraditional (I see it as a positive). It makes me sad that he has HIV but I can't say I'm surprised. At least he's lived a happy life and now he will use what's left to make a difference.

When it comes to the original creation of HIV/AIDS I can't help but think that it was artificially made. It seemed too convenient that once gays started having lots of sex something went in to stop them.
Took a while until the US government even tried to develop medication to combat this illness.

The private affairs of individuals are none of my concern regardless of sexual orientation. What I hate is when people insist on making their preferences known through parades and excessive celebrations.

If we can't cure homosexuality least we could do is not promote it.

[sdistotallyme]

"What I hate is when people insist on making their preferences known through parades and excessive celebrations" geez... you can say that again. It's not enough to be equal... they have to be "special" too. It seems like everybody wants some sort of "validation" when they decide to engage in deviant lifestyles. The insanity of calling this behavior "brave" is beyond me. The sad part is that liberal progressives have a choke hold on the media, public education, politics (obama) and the entertainment industries. They weld an incredible amount of power and the masses are so easily brainwashed. I personally had to be careful about what I said on my FB page about Caitlyn Jenner and the SCOTUS ruling out of fear of losing my job. It infuriates me deeply that I'm being muzzled in a land where brave men/women died for free speech. However what goes around comes around. There will be karma for this insane behavior and PC oppression (hopefully).

[sdistotallyme]

also the origins of HIV have yet to be proven. I doubt it was artificially designed (not impossible... but no likely). One theory is that an African tribe contracted it from having intercourse with an animal. Disgusting thought... but most many animals carry diseases that are fatal to humans. I'm all for finding a cure. Although promiscuous people (especially gay men) are more prone to contract this disease I don't wish it on anyone.

[QuestionMan]

@sdistotallyme Well you're lucky you could only lose your job for your comments, while I could face a fine or even serve prison time due to the hate speech laws in Canada. Article 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms states "The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." That means that the government can limit my rights if they choose to. That is why I was against the SCOTUS ruling since I knew what was going to happen next in the US.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcGf_yOlai8
Another thing it does is promote anti-theism. Now I'm an atheist but I believe religion serves a purpose in society so we shouldn't be attacking it. Anti-theists however are radical atheists who think religion must be destroyed and all the morals that came with it. They are far worse than the Soviets.

[QuestionMan]

@sdistotallyme I have nothing against promiscuity, quite the contrary I support it as long as it's between 2 consenting adults (or as many that are willing to participate). However promiscuity is a choice that shouldn't be forced on others by telling them that their religion is wrong. I think everyone should go out and sleep with as many people as they want and enjoy it but to force someone into it through bullying is no better than forced prostitution.

As for HIV/AIDS I did here a rumour that it was transmitted via animal contact but at the end of the day all that matters is getting the cure.

[sdistotallyme]

Yes I heard that Canada legalized gay marriage 10 years before the USA and now your country is suffering marxist oppression because of it. I also noticed a much more aggressive anti-theist sentiment in the last couple years. I recently got in an extended debated with one such person on FB when he claimed "prayer leads to terrorism" after the Paris incident. I'm a Christian myself and very involved with volunteering and humanitarian activities (for the last 15 years). If it wasn't for my faith I would have never taken this route. Not trying to pat myself on my back, but I will never shy away from recognizing and giving thanks to Christ for giving me motivation to help the less fortunate (I work with homeless). With that said I completely respect that you are atheist and I respect you even more that you are calling out anti theism. It's ironic that anti theists try to fight "religious oppression" by oppressing faith themselves.

[sdistotallyme]

Very insightful video. The most insidious forces behind this movement is the mainstream media (both Canadian and American). They are supposed to be public servants to keep us informed with the facts (and were this way years ago) but the political bias which is usually liberal and becoming more and more overt is absolutely horrifying. It is deciding elections, laws and beliefs... and most people don't care.

Not be sexist, but I notice women... especially young women are much more likely to be influenced by the mass media. Four women downvoted your opinion. Are they all lesbians and/or liberal activists? Not likely. There is a better chance they belong to the silent majority and let common opinion manipulate and dictate their beliefs. I also notice men are less likely to confront women on their political views than vice versa. If I somehow disagree with a woman overtly it is "chauvinistic" and "sexist." Is there any hope in fighting this insanity?

[QuestionMan]

@sdistotallyme Glad to find another like minded individual. It saddens me that liberals have corrupted atheism by turning it into a tool of anti religious oppression. They have become just as bad as the religious bigots that I have fought against my entire life. There's a big difference between being critical of religion and dismissing it as false altogether. Regardless of a person's view of religion, most morals are derived from it. The difference being that atheists are less likely to do something good just for a ticket to heaven.

Women tend to be swept over by the liberal media because it focuses on emotions. Look at our recent election. A daddy's boy with good looks and no background in economics got elected. He's pretty much the first social justice warrior prime minister.

[rjroy3]

I don't thing being gay is a disorder, but gender identity certainly is especially in the case of a hermaphrodite.

[QuestionMan]

@rjroy3 The way I see it, it is our biological function to reproduce so if someone doesn't find the opposite sex attractive than there must be something wrong with them.

[M_A_X]

@rjoy3 That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Hermaphrodites are one of the rarest medical phenomena and has nothing to do with gender identity. Gender identity is just what you identify as, it's a choice and has nothing to do with mental issues

[heavensgift2girls]

They aren't heroes. They are just people living their lives that we hear about. Just because we like or agree with something they have to say doesn't make anyone a hero. The only difference between them, and everyone else is that they are rich and famous. We throw the word 'hero' around so much it has completely watered down it's meaning.

[Stacyzee]

Yep, exactly. I stated this is my response to others.

[vishna]

It's good to understand that everyone is fighting their own battle and living their life, hopefully, in spite of the pain people try to inflict on them. A lot of issues everyday people face, celebrities face too. And yes, money and an adoring fan base make things better, but it's still a struggle. However, yes, I feel like we do place too much emphasis on the powerful's struggle and not the everyday man or women. That being said, we shouldn't try to diminish a celebrity's struggle. It's still a struggle. But I get where you're coming from. And I think this is a great MyTake.

[MysteriousFlower]

HIV can be well-managed in which celebrities can afford and LGBTIQ has a lot less stigma in reality, sure- marriage isn't legal worldwide but the majority of the gay population has very good rights (at least in the western). If some-one is gay or HIV positive or any other inflicted challenges, it shouldn't make them a 'hero'. I don't see the inspiration from celebrities and I know some average civilians use their stories for financial gain or attention.
Also, there is stereotypes with everything. I do applaud that you spoke from the perspective of regular people.

[CityBoy773]

They're famous, that's why. Celebrities will forever get better treatment than the rest of us. I told my family I was bisexual and got shit talked by almost all, lesbian almost got me disowned, and trans got me disowned, disrespected, and hurt by damn near half my family. I'm not famous, or a celebrity, or a huge sports star, or someone in the military (sense basic brought out my thought to be well handled depression which led to more issues even I couldn't imagine).

You seem to have forgot celebrities are held to different rules. They are treated, looked at, definitely paid, and respected differently. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left hurt and forced to struggle.

And can we stop using the word 'tranny' for fucks sake? It's disrespectful as hell to trans people.

[Stacyzee]

I haven't forgotten.
I just don't agree with it all.
I equally respect everyone despite their public view or status.

If I'm ok with something I'll be that way regardless of who it is.
If I'm not okay with it... the same thing goes.

[Stacyzee]

By the way , are you speaking about me? I didn't say tranny.

[CityBoy773]

No not you, but anyway who uses that term.

[AdamThomas]

They aren't heroes. The word heroic is thrown around too much, and it's pretty sad that having an STD or thinking you're in the wrong body is seen as heroic these days. Real heroes do real shit e. g. firefighters risking their lives pulling people from burning buildings.

[Betwyn]

Famous people are "Brave" for subjecting themselves to that scrutiny.

They are heroes, for increasing awareness, causing dialog.. and letting us mere commoners know, we're not alone in what we are feeling.

sure, it isn't going to happen overnight.. but it's the high profile cases that help cause the most change. They encourage others to think about their views. They encourage others to come forth and share their feelings and truths.

and.. yes, many "regular" people get shunned by their family and friends.. but not all. and far less now, then 10 years ago. and that was less again then 10 years before that.

[front2back]

Fuck firefighters, those guys think they're so cool for risking their lives in order to save others. They aren't heroes. THESE guys like Magic Johnson, Charlie Sheen, and Brucelin Jenner are the real heroes!

*sarcasm*

[Random_chick_2384]

Lol. 😂

[Stacyzee]

I agree with you.

I think the sad part of people's response is that they are directing all of this anger towards me.
No one read my article and just the title alone.
They assume that's what my entire take is about when there's a bigger message

[Stacyzee]

This really only highlights the amount of people that don't read.

[Azara]

i thought he looked oddly ill for some time so im not surprised. the problem is he did not disclose the information to people he was in a private relationship with. so if thats true, no he's not brave he's a coward and he could have ruined other peoples lives as a result.

[Scrambledagain]

HIV is a very strong point for me and although I don't think celebrities are heroes, they do have social power and when they speak about this or bring it out in the open, it does help. It becomes news, it becomes discussed and it gets a new life, which in the case of HIV, is a good thing. I'm South African and we have an HIV problem there. At my university when I studied psychology, my friend worked in the HIV centre. She had to deliver the news if you were positive. 1 in 4 weekly came back positive. It's massive there (and to all those gay bashing fuckheads, homosexuality has little to do with HIV in sub Sahara Africa).

[ObscuredBeyond]

It is nuts. It is equally insane as if Pee Wee Herman were a "hero" for jacking off in public in front of kids. Or if Michael Jackson had been found guilty during that pedo allegation thing, and was hailed as a "hero" for it.

The Cult of Gay knows no limits to its narcissism.

[Hezigrimm]

Well I usually tend to be rougher on celebs. They are the ones who have it easier in some cases. Anyway they will have someone say you know what you are all right. They are not brave for coming out as anything. The ones who come out to their family even knowing what they will say against them are the brave ones. My heart goes out to everyone of them. They diserve to live the life they want to as God intended. He intended for us to have complete free will.

[Krillanr]

If society decides something without me, then it doesn't need me to agree with it.

I don't approve of gay or trans or such, but I don't reject people either, I remain, politely uncaring.

I will treat any person as well as the next, because we are human first.

[Falamalabobala]

Well to me they're not Charlie Sheen is just a trainwreck and Jenner is a selfish idiot. I have no problem with transgender people but Bruce shouldn't of gotten married and kids. To me he doesn't represent transgender people because he's out of touch with reality.

[Anonymous]

I have severe depression and now I hide my secret. People will always judge the " everyday, average" person in a negative way for being honest. I hide my pain... my secret , because people just don't understand and never will. Many people have distanced themselves from me after I tell them my " secret".

I can cry all night and walk into work and hide my secret , silent pain behind a smile.

If I was an Icon I would have support, I would have people telling me they can relate to me. 💔😭

[G-Daz]

Celebrities only personally come out that they have a particular condition or disease because if they don't. It tends to tarnish their reputation worse when media outlets speculate and eventually find out.

I don't place celebrities on a pedistool for looks or fame and actions

[AnOrdinaryGirl45]

People are morons of they are praising these celebrities for sharing their secrets and then turning around judging normal people who share the same secrets. Who cares if they are famous, you are being hypocritical and probably just care about the celebrity and their status rather than what they actually revealed.

[coconutelixir]

You are right, but realize that when celebrities come out with their ilnesses or families' illnesses it HELPS the everyday folks dealing with this. It brings awareness and makes people feel less alone. Most times celebrities do not clearly share their illnesses, it affects who hires them a lot of times. When they do share it, it also affects them... but it's good for the population who might make more effort to understand especially for a big name celebrity. Think of Angelina Jolie and breast cancer running through her family due to a BRCA mutation. Wanna know the aftermath about that? More women got checked than before.

[AnOrdinaryGirl45]

@coconutelixir makes sense 👍

[bluenose1872]

Jesus I never knew charlie boy had HIV. God help him. That's what happens when you nail porn stars and have threesomes. Too dangerous to sleep around these days everybody is technically fucking everybody else. Better getting somebody you really like and hanging on to them. I've slept with one woman since I was 24. Just lots of times