Entertainment Reporter Karl Schmid Comes Out As HIV+ In Heartfelt Facebook Post

Reporter Karl Schmid

Karl Schmid, entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles ABC affiliate, came out as HIV positive in a thoughtful, heartfelt post on Facebook Friday night.

Hi. I’m a 37 year old HIV+ man who has been poz for almost ten 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”. 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”.

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.

So here’s what I say, 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. 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!

Bravo to Schmid for having the courage to share his story. Even with new drugs which make having HIV more of a chronic disease than a death sentence, and the wider and wider use of PrEP to stop the spread of infection, the stigma of being HIV+ is still a very real issue for many.

The 37-year-old Australian native regularly reports from the red carpet of celebrity events and also hosts the TV show Operation Vacation on Logo.

Saturday morning Schmid followed up with an upbeat tweet thanking folks for their support and for sharing their own stories.

Today has been insanely overwhelming. 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. Tonight, I’m hanging out with my best friend and enjoying the talent that is @taylormacnyc in DTLA pic.twitter.com/6X07KVsOaN

— Karl Schmid (@KarlJSchmid) March 25, 2018