On December 1, 2015, people all across the globe celebrated World Aids Day, a day dedicated for raising awareness for those who are diagnosed with the spread of the HIV disease. Colleges and universities all around the world teach students about the disease and ways they can prevent and control it.

To honor the day, Marvelyn Brown, a young native Tennessean, came to Miron Student Center’s Little Theatre on Monday, December 7, 2015. At the age of 19, she was diagnosed with HIV. She shares her experience with the disease to the students and the risks associated with unprotected sex.

“Life was great before I was HIV positive,” said Brown. “I was living the college dream and having fun. But then I soon had to do class projects by myself, walk to school by myself and no one would really talk to me.” Having to deal with stigmas and discrimination, Brown yearned to turn her life around.  

Brown informed the audience that she felt like an outcast in her own hometown. The people she loved the most would go against her. Every Sunday morning, Brown would go to church because she believes that was the only place for her to go without people judging her.

“Every single day, I was thinking about death and I wanted to die,” said Brown. “People were basically waiting for me to die.”

Tiara Anderson, Programming Coordinator of the Office of Student Government, helped her planning committee to introduce Brown to the university. “We think it is crucial to have someone close to our age range open up about her sexuality,” said Anderson.

Six months after Brown’s diagnosis, the young Tennessean made the decision to publicly speak about her disease at a local university. When one female student opened up and told Brown that she serves as a hero and inspiration, Brown immediately rushed out of the classroom. Ever since she was diagnosed, Brown always heard negative things from people. Now for the first time ever, she had heard something positive. As a result, she decided to use that positive energy and write a book known as The Naked Truth: Young Beautiful and (HIV) Positive. The book chronicles her life from when she was once a fearful victim to a motivational activist.

Lia Santana, senior biology major, believes it is important to raise awareness of the disease, especially among college students. “I never actually met someone before who is willing to speak to people about HIV,” said Santana, “This disease is relevant to everyone. Not just black and homosexual communities.”

Brown concludes the event by saying, “HIV doesn’t define me. I personally think marvelous is a more appropriate description.”

She encourages the student body to be responsible and make wise decisions because it only takes one mistake to turn your life around.

To learn more about her story, please click here.

Marvelyn Brown, a young native Tennessean, lectures the student body on safe sex
Marlon Ramtahal l The Cougar’s Byte