After becoming a fan favorite on
season 8 of Project Runway—partly
by coming out about his HIV-positive status to the show’s millions of
fans—Mondo Guerra turned his
newfound fame into a platform. In between launching a jewelry line and
competing on Project Runway All Stars,
Guerra has emerged as one of the nation’s most high-profile Latino HIV
activists. While sewing and designing come naturally to the 33-year-old, Guerra
talks to HIV Plus magazine
about his new role as an advocate, which also suits him rather comfortably.
“When you get up [to the podium], you feel like
people are there to participate, to listen to you, they’re really engaged
in what you’re saying,” Guerra tells HIV Plus. “So it’s actually
grown quite relaxing.”
Guerra’s decision to put himself out there as a face
and voice of HIV was not taken lightly. He knows he’ll likely be referred
to as “the HIV-positive designer” for the foreseeable future, but the
reception he received after season 8 touched him deeply. He’s also now
working with fellow HIV-positive activist and Project
Runway alum Jack Mackenroth on the Living Positive by Design
campaign, which stresses the importance of a strong mind as well as a strong
body.
“After the episode aired [in which he revealed his
status], there was so much positive response from so many different
people,” Guerra remembers. “A lot of that was from people who were
still keeping their status a secret and letting the stigma really define who
they were. It was keeping them from being honest. So coming off the show
it’s been my responsibility to continue the conversation.”
Since he revealed his status, Guerra’s family has
proven both warm and understanding. “My entire family has really stepped
up to the plate,” he says. “Now they have put a face to the disease
and have sought out the materials to educate themselves. Within my own little
family—well, I’m Mexican, so it’s not that little—to
see them educate themselves and talk openly about HIV and ask me questions
makes me really proud to know that with my community, I’ve made a
difference. I hope that continues with my advocacy work.”
Read the full interview by clicking here.
