Queer Eye host and podcaster Jonathan Van Ness has revealed his H.I.V positive diagnosis in a new New York Times profile.
In the revealing interview, done on the eve of the release of his memoir Over The Top, Van Ness went on the public record about the condition for the first time, as well as speaking about his experience with sexual abuse.
“I’ve had nightmares every night for the past three months because I’m scared to be this vulnerable with people,” said Van Ness about the interview, going on to recall the day he tested positive for the virus when he was 25.
“That day was just as devastating as you would think it would be,” he said.
“When ‘Queer Eye’ came out, it was really difficult because I was like, ‘Do I want to talk about my status? And then I was like, ‘The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatization of the L.G.B.T. community thrive around me.’
“I do feel the need to talk about this.”
Van Ness went on to affirm that he was proud to be a “member of the beautiful H.I.V.-positive community.”
Speaking further about his past addictions to sex and hard drugs, as well as the abuse suffered at the hands of a church member, Van Ness noted that “for a lot of people who are survivors of sexual assault at a young age, we have a lot of compounded trauma.”
“It’s hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven’t shared publicly…there are issues that need to be talked about.”
Since the publication of the interview, Van Ness has received a heap of support from both fans and celebrities on Twitter, including from the likes of Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham, and fellow Queer Eye cast member Antony Poroswki.
“You’re never too broken to be fixed.” I 💕@jvn https://t.co/ucCxPO3BYq
— Lauren Graham (@thelaurengraham) September 22, 2019
Thank you @jvn. You are helping so many in the HIV+ community by being your beautiful self. https://t.co/nvmEEbr0nx
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) September 21, 2019
Van Ness will be visiting Australia for his own comedy tour this February. See below for dates.
Over The Top is released worldwide September 24th.
Jonathan Van Ness Road To Beijing Australian Tour, 2020
Tuesday 18 February,
Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch
Thursday 20 February,
Great Hall, Brisbane
Friday 21 February,
AEC Theatre, Adelaide
Saturday 22 February,
Plenary Theatre, Melbourne
Tuesday 25 February,
Riverside Theatre, Perth
Friday 28 February,
First State Super Theatre, Sydney (formerly ICC)
