Billy Porter revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter yesterday that he is HIV-positive. He said he was diagnosed 14 years ago and no longer wanted to keep it a secret.
Although he already had a successful career on stage and screen behind him, Porter, 51, found worldwide fame for his role as Pray Tell in the FX series, Pose. The show covers the ballroom scene of the late 1980s/early 90s, and Pray Tell is a gay man who is also HIV positive.
The show’s creator, über-producer and showrunner Ryan Murphy, yesterday paid tribute to Porter on his Instagram account.
Related: Billy Porter comes out as HIV-positive after 14 years: “The truth is the healing.”
Re-sharing the Hollywood Reporter cover, Murphy wrote, “Today I post an ode of appreciation for my friend – the one and only Billy Porter, who graces The Hollywood Reporter with a historic cover and testimonial about his life, and how he climbed the mountain.
“Once again, Billy Porter refuses to let anyone define him. He is not just a singer, an actor, and dancer. Not just an Emmy winner, a Tony winner, and Grammy winner…more than just an activist and a pioneer. He is a beautiful necklace, made from many pearls…some lustrous, some dented, but all earned and fought for.
“Today is a big day for him, and I think for so many others who have ever been afraid to be themselves because of the societal judgment that can be so harsh for those in our community all over the world.
“I love this continual FIRST who keeps being authentic, keeps making change, and refuses the confining edges of definition. He is, as they say, everything.
“I was proud to show up and support him as he poured his heart out to the always wonderful Lacey Rose. Keep being true, Billy. And thank you for being the light that shows the way.”
Lacey Rose was the Hollywood Reporter writer to whom Porter gave his interview.
In the piece, Porter explained that he was diagnosed in 2007. It was one chapter in a particularly bad year for him.
“I was on the precipice of obscurity for about a decade or so, but 2007 was the worst of it. By February, I had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By March, I signed bankruptcy papers. And by June, I was diagnosed HIV-positive. The shame of that time compounded with the shame that had already [accumulated] in my life silenced me, and I have lived with that shame in silence for 14 years.”
He said he told “everyone who needed to know”, except for his mom, who he felt ashamed and embarrassed to tell. He finally told her after the last day of filming on the final season of Pose.
Porter is now working on his directorial debut, has a memoir coming out later this year, and a Netflix documentary about his life, which is being made in collaboration with Murphy.
Related: Zachary Quinto and Billy Porter voice same-sex couple in new Disney+ show
Among those to praise Murphy’s posting were fellow Pose star MJ Rodriguez, who said, “Beautiful words!”, while Sharon Stone said, “BRAVO👏👏👏👏😍”
Following the Hollywood Reporter story, Porter also went on The Tamron Hall Show to talk about his status and why he believes he survived in order to make Pose and remind people both of those lost to HIV and those living with the virus.
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Chrisk
Nice but he was diagnosed in 2007. Hardly a death sentence so I’m not sure what the “I survived in order to make Pose” thing he’s talking about.
Godabed
Your privilege is talking, HIV meds are very expensive and not everyone can afford them. In the African American community especially their is limited access to proper medical treatment and programs. So a lot of people go without meds because they simply can’t afford them or don’t even have medical coverage.
Robothedestroyer
Considering the fked year they had before you could consider their statement be in reference to their emotional state. That’s if the road to being healthy after diagnosis was bump-free. Meds can be difficult to come by for hiv or diabetes. But my money is that they’re referring mostly to simply surviving hiv, diabetes, and bankruptcy all at once . I know I’d have trouble coming out of all of that ok.
Chrisk
There are programs for hIv drugs to help you. adap, ryan white, etc. No one should not be able to access hiv drugs. You would know that if you knew anything about it so don’t slap me with your privileged BS.
LumpyPillows
I really hate when some wokester needs to insert their privilege beef into everything. Billy Porter is black and privileged because he is rich. Privilege comes with money, not race. The use of privilege is a micro-aggression that needs to go away, which it won’t. White people do not have privilege, what they have is the benefit of the doubt, which all people should have. Everyone deserves to not be beaten by a cop, it is not a privilege, it is a right. Keep pushing the privilege narrative and keep losing elections.
WashDrySpin
@Chris K
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orrine
LumpyPillows, have you actually read Billy’s interview? Do you know his career? In 2007 he didn’t have a privilege of having money at all, his Kinky Boots breakout happened in 2012-2013
Vince
I love how any criticism of porter automatically makes you a racist by the billy porter fan club. Lol
rickywintour
You white queens always know how to show y’all ass huh. Shut the hell up and go do something with yourself you piece of trash.
LumpyPillows
I do love Billy Porter. What a talent. Still, like most entertainers (famous or in their own minds) the oversharing and need for constant attention and affirmation is exhausting.
joey62
Yes
Liquid Silver
Yep, and that constant “annoy me and I will cut you” look in his eyes. I have little interest in Porter and most other attention-seekers. Next up, I’m sure he’ll be non-binary. And I still don’t care.
WashDrySpin
HIV stigma and ignorance still exist
rickywintour
Your really a sad lonely miserable old queen. Billy is doing things you wish you were doing with your life. Maybe if you found some happiness and weren’t so bitter and pressed you wouldn’t be hating on other people.
wiredpup
If you contracted HIV within the last 25 years I have little if any sympathy for you.
WashDrySpin
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G-Man
Such negativity here. I hope that by him spilling his truth it may help someone that is dealing with HIV. Whether you believe it or not there is still a stigma that comes along with being HIV positive I have friends that are ashamed to tell anyone they are positive in fear of the judgement or negativity that may be heaped on them.
Jack Meoff
You can always rely on the comments section on Queerty to bring you down after reading a positive story.
WashDrySpin
ignorant, racist and privileged white gay men spouting BS on the internet will tend to do that
Me2
This revelation seemed like it was cathartic for him. This was his way of shedding the shame that’s kept him suffering in silence for 14 years. Much love to him!!
MissTerri
It certainly did after reading YOUR comment, dear! NEEEEEEEEEEEEXT!!
Cam
@MissTerri
Awww, the troll account switched screenames so it coule make ANOTHER boring post.