Love, Loss & Life: Real Stories From The AIDS Pandemic

Andrew Keates: Real Stories from the AIDS Pandemic

June 19, 2024 National HIV Story Trust Season 1 Episode 16
Andrew Keates: Real Stories from the AIDS Pandemic
Love, Loss & Life: Real Stories From The AIDS Pandemic
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Love, Loss & Life: Real Stories From The AIDS Pandemic
Andrew Keates: Real Stories from the AIDS Pandemic
Jun 19, 2024 Season 1 Episode 16
National HIV Story Trust

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Andrew Keates grew up in Dorset and realized he was gay at 13. He loves the theater and is now an award-winning director. Some of his productions have been performed in the West End, including 'As Is', 'Dessa Rose', and 'Dark Sublime'. In 2018, he received the 'Young Achiever of the Year Award' for his success in theater and his work raising awareness about HIV and under-represented communities.

Andrew felt let down by the lack of education about HIV and the absence of gay role models when he was young. In 2013, he directed a revival of 'As Is' to honour those lost to the AIDS pandemic and raise awareness about HIV. He made a pact with his cast and crew to get tested for HIV. At the end of the production, he found out he was HIV positive.

This podcast series features stories taken from our first book, a collection of essays, reflections, and testimonies also entitled ‘Love, Loss & Life’ which you can buy here.

An audiobook is also available here.

Visit the National HIV Story Trust website

Show Notes Chapter Markers

Your feedback means a great deal to us. Please text us your thoughts by clicking on this link.

Andrew Keates grew up in Dorset and realized he was gay at 13. He loves the theater and is now an award-winning director. Some of his productions have been performed in the West End, including 'As Is', 'Dessa Rose', and 'Dark Sublime'. In 2018, he received the 'Young Achiever of the Year Award' for his success in theater and his work raising awareness about HIV and under-represented communities.

Andrew felt let down by the lack of education about HIV and the absence of gay role models when he was young. In 2013, he directed a revival of 'As Is' to honour those lost to the AIDS pandemic and raise awareness about HIV. He made a pact with his cast and crew to get tested for HIV. At the end of the production, he found out he was HIV positive.

This podcast series features stories taken from our first book, a collection of essays, reflections, and testimonies also entitled ‘Love, Loss & Life’ which you can buy here.

An audiobook is also available here.

Visit the National HIV Story Trust website

Introduction by Anita Dobson
Andrew describes his HIV test and his shock at testing positive
initial feelings of loneliness after being diagnosed HIV positive
Realising he is not alone, and the necessity of being treated
side effects of some HIV medication, and working with your doctor to find the right medication with least side effects
fighting the temptation to keeping HIV diagnosis a secret, inspiring others to get tested and taking pride in encouraging others who are HIV positive to live a normal life