An on-air reporter for ABC’s Los Angeles affiliate has come out as HIV-positive.
If you live in the Los Angeles area, you might be familiar with Karl Schmid. Schmid has reported human interest stories and Hollywood stories (like Academy Award events and the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party) for ABC7 for several years now.
Last night, Schmid got on Facebook to share with the world the fact that he’s not only HIV-positive, but that he’s been so for the past 10 years.
“For 10 years I’ve struggled with ‘do I or don’t I?’ For ten years the stigma and industry professionals have said, ‘don’t! It’ll ruin you,’” he wrote.
Adding to the pressure of his “Should I or shouldn’t I?” thoughts, Schmid says he was also advised not to share this information with the world. Many within his circle worried that revealing his HIV-status will affect his career.
That said, the 37-year-old Australian-born reporter came out anyway in hopes that he could serve as inspiration and support for others with a similar status.
“Labels are things that come and go but your dignity and who you are is what defines you. 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,” he concluded.
In addition, Schmid also used his announcement as a way to promote a charity project for The Aids Memorial.
If you want to read Karl Schmid’s full Facebook post, you can read it through this link or down below.
I’m proud of you for coming
I'm proud of you for coming out as positive. And you did it with class. My guess is the offers for dates and potential relationships are already pouring in. If I wasn't in a committed relationship you'd have another man hitting on you.
Great job buddy!
Great job buddy!
Many do understand that coming out HIV+ is the more difficult of our coming out scenarios.
You will inspire many to release this burden from their souls and live free and open to the maximum.
Congrats Karl. Stand prouder than ever.