Raif Derrazi
@RaifDerrazi
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HIV/AIDS Diagnosed @pluslifemedia Host @HOPEforHIVCure Co-Chair, Natural Bodybuilder & Vlogger
Joined August 2009
Me and #AdherenceToad taking our ARVs together. What a celeb sighting 😍 .Toad Handler: @RickGuasco . #HIV #HIVundetectable #HIVadvocate
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After briefly exploring DC, I’m at the NIH, taking my HIV medication, surrounded by countless HIV cure research scientists. For many of the researchers, ensuring that members of the HIV community are here and contributing to conversations is monumental. It’s inspiring to so many
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@gizmothegrrreat @KamalaHarris THIS. and not to mention the QUALITY of new jobs (part-time, gig, low wage) is unaccounted for.
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1).Visibility is huge for the HIV Community. @glaad tracks visibility & convo’s that are happening for PLHIV in their annual State of HIV Stigma report (2024 just released). I 👏🏽 their incredible work & also emphasize the need to continue deeper exploration of the data. 🧵⬇️
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Grateful for the one-pill-a-day that affords me the opportunity to live life to its fullest 🙏🏽.@iasociety @AIDS_conference . #hiv #hivpositive #hivundetectable #uequalsu
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From my #AIDS diagnosis in 2012 ➡️ to placing 3rd in my first Pro #natural Bodybuilding show in 2019, #HIV has completely upended my life. And I'm so thankful for it!.Turn your perceived setback into your greatest motivation..#hivbodybuilder #transformationtuesday
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HIV is NOT about how u and I are different, it's about how u and I are the SAME ❤️. 1/🧵
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World AIDS Day LIVE w/ HIV Cure Research Scientists. We took a tour of a Lab with ongoing HIV cure research, looked at a real experiment with T Cells and answered a bunch of your burning question. We will keep following up with them so stay tuned!.Thank you @HOPEforHIVCure
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Thumbs up from inside an #HIV cure research lab at @gladstoneinst in San Francisco. I enjoyed a fantastic peek at how carefully and diligently scientists and researches here are working towards a potential cure for HIV..YouTube vlog coming soon!.#HIVcure #uequalsu
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#hiv diagnosis leaves many feeling isolated and hopeless. I recently created a Telegram group where people from around the world can join, feel safe, find support and encouragement and gain a sense of community. Multiple rooms for topics include:.Mental Health.Fitness &
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@MichaelSecretYT @tim_cook Guess you haven’t noticed the over 400 pieces of anti-lgbtq bills introduced to state legislatures SO FAR this year. More than twice as many as 2022…and it’s May.
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#HIV and fitness are NOT separate. Bodybuilding & strength training are a huge part of my life 💪🏽 Don’t let life slow your roll!.@AIDSHealthcare.#hivbodybuilder #hivaids #hivfitness
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#HIVbodybuilder I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Winding up to get back on the pro natural men’s physique stage next year. #hiv #nattybodybuilding
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I'm #HIV positive and l'm able to take supplements, stay fit and bodybuild. The limitations you were taught in the past need not apply. @AIDSHealthcare . #hivbodybuilder #uequalsu #hivadvocate
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Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Keeping it 💯 I have periodically struggled with #depression my whole life. - In my teens I overdosed as I was coming to grips with being gay in a world that damned me to hell. - In my 20s I was diagnosed with #AIDS and considered leaving
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The Global Village is officially open! Taking my HIV medication here at the Cure Canvas Zone where I’ll be hosting interviews with HIV cure researchers throughout the week. @iasociety @AIDS_conference .@HOPEforHIVCure @REACHforthecure @DAREtoCureHIV.#HIV #HIVcure #HIVadvocate
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So busy at @AIDS_conference I forgot to take ARVs the past 2 days 😱 Fortunately, viral rebound doesn’t happen right away & I’m still U=U!. Or who knows, maybe I’m a post-treatment controller & don’t know it yet 😂 The human side of being on treatment #HIV #putpeoplefirst
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SO upset Kaiser won't let me film MY #HIV Doc Appt! Previous health ins said yes & it's an invaluable resource of hope for community worldwide. I'll switch insurance next year if they won't support advocacy for education & stigma reduction. #uequalsu.@KPSCALnews @aboutKP @KHNews.
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Today is World AIDS Day. If there’s one thing this journey has taught me,.It’s that I AM A MF FIGHTER. I fight for me. I fight for those we’ve lost. And I’ll fight for YOU TOO. Always be #true. #WorldAIDSday2019 #WorldAIDSday #Fighter #Truth
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I just couldn’t hold my emotions back anymore. Being in this space, speaking to these people, hearing the needs of communities here, I’m heart is fully cracked open and raw. I’m so humbled, inspired and DETERMINED to help in whatever small way I can ❤️. @HIVGov @NMACCommunity
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Incredibly remarkable and humbling interview w/ 3 of the #HIV Cured men in 1 room! They had some truly insightful things to say, and I got to ask them questions they don’t often answer (they have a WhatsApp group for just the 3 of them called ‘The 3 Musketeers’😂❤️). Once the
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My barber’s face when someone asks if they can get #HIV because he used the same clippers on me 😂. Props to the big guy for educating in the barber shop; one of the overlooked places to educate and reduce stigma. #RBF #barber #HIVstigma #HIV #HIVadvocate
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HIV medication is wildly expensive. It’s easy to forget how crazy drug prices can be when ur not paying for it directly out of pocket. But one way or another costs come back to us through insurance premiums, taxes etc #hiv #hivmedicine #hivadvocate @AIDSHealthcare #uequalsu
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If u didn't know me, could u tell which of us has HIV? Nope. In other news, this is a Pro NATURAL bodybuilding competition in 2019. Yes, it's possible to develop these types of physiques, naturally, despite what some overly 'enhanced' & dishonest athletes will lead u to believe.
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I'm an official Ambassador for @gaygames Hong Kong 2022! I'll rep Team USA 🇺🇸 as a physique bodybuilder. Stoked to be competing not only an out gay man 🏳️🌈 but also an openly HIV positive man. This disease does not limit our ability to achieve greatness. #gaygames #hivbodybuilder
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Our daily HIV medication is our daily reminder to be grateful for life. What’s your daily reminder?.@D_Moraa. @IAS_USA .#hiv #hivadvocate #CROI2025
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@aidsmap This makes my heart heavy! I get so much incredible news and information from your organization that I am able to pass on to my audience. I would love to connect with folks at your organization to help elevate them and their work on my YouTube channel. If there is any way I can.
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#HIV doesn't define u but it CAN inform who u CHOOSE to be. Allow ur hardships to inspire humility, reflection, growth & badASSery. Thank u @jubileemedia for creating meaningful content like this:.#badassery #beinspired
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54 degrees in Delaware doesn’t feel NEARLY as cold as 70 degrees in Los Angeles. Enjoyed a beautiful wedding with my Beau ❤️. #love
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The most important thing I've learned about HIV cure research in the past couple years has nothing to do with the research itself. It's the fact that our community (people living with HIV) are RAVENOUS to learn more about the research; we want to be included in this scientific
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Don’t miss this Queer Smash Down game tournament @BlackQueerTH.noon PT TODAY! @Peppermint247 & @thatonequeen to Emcee 🎮 .Watch on any of the social links posted on our @gofundme:.
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THIS is how WE take our ARVs. United at @AIDS_conference 2024. Try telling US that #HIV will hold us back 😉.@D_Moraa. @iasociety @AIDS_conference .#hivadvocate #putpeoplefirst #uequalsu
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1st #triceps day I’m ‘pumped’ about in many, many…many months 💪🏽😅.#hiv #aids #uequalsu #hivbodybuilder
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#HIVStigma is a global health challenge that costs lives. We are HUMAN FIRST. #ZeroHIVStigmaDay #hiv @0HIVStigmaDay @IAPAC @NazProjectLdn .#UequalsU #EndHIVStigma #HIVStigma @pluslifemedia
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This is your chance to ask questions to an #HIV Cure research scientist! This Friday, Dec 1st @ 12pm PST on World AIDS Day I will be going LIVE on Instagram w/ Dr Melanie Ott of the @HOPEforHIVCure & @GladstoneInst . Submit your questions in the comments below to have them
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At the annual meeting of the 10 Martin Delaney Collaboratories for HIV Cure research, funded by the @NIH and located at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. Excited to be here. I’ll add to this thread, interesting tidbits that pop up on this first day ❤️🙏🏽. 🧵 1/
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I’ll know in 4-6 weeks if I passed genetic screening. Stay tuned…
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With the silencing of many Federal agencies, Advocates and Activists have a new level of responsibility and imperative to ensure the mission to end HIV does not get lost. #hivadvocate #hivactivist #hivbodybuilder
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The 2nd person @londonpatient to be cured of #HIV via a high-risk, intensely invasive procedure was in Los Angeles for a few days and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to sit down and film a chat with him. .Video coming soon!.#HIVcure #LondonPatient #UequalsU
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I finally made it to #Bali.Indonesia is part of my heritage but I’ve never had the privilege to visit. I can’t describe the feeling of running into people who distinctly look like you and your family members, for the first time. Feeling so much peace and happiness inside.
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The Trump Administration wants to make it legal to fire workers just because they are LGBTQ+. As you read this, the Supreme Court is considering our rights. IF you want to fight for LGBTQ+ rights and justice, spread the word #WeAreHere. Watch this video to learn more.
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Life is unreal ❤️ Thank you, thank you, thank you for the opportunity to represent our community @glaad @TheTodayShow @joefryer @BR999 @deondrebmoore @AIDS_United.#hiv #glaadmediaawards #uequalsu
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Feeling like myself today. Grateful to have some energy back!. Btw, look out for tons of YouTube content this year. Got a packed line up! & currently scheduling tons of interviews. Can’t wait to share all the knowledge, wisdom, science & research!. #hiv #uequalsu #hivadvocate
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Everyone has hurdles in life. you are winning if you're able to be happy and continue living in your purpose. Thank you to @HIVPlusMag for sharing and amplifying the normalcy of being HIV undetectable / 'HIV neutral'. #HIV #UequalsU #HIVneutral @pluslifemedia
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Stigma can exist anywhere, INCLUDING healthcare. And storytelling is how we change hearts & minds. Storytelling generates empathy so we can dissolve stigma surrounding HIV. We're not a disease, nor a diagnosis; we're humans living w/ a chronic manageable condition
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1st Pro show. 3rd Place. So honored to be on stage w/ incredible veteran bodybuilders. You are the average of the closest people you surround urself w/. Surround urself with the best, yes, but also allow urself to be someone who raises someone else to THEIR best. #hivbodybuilder
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Come with me inside an active lab where groundbreaking research on potential HIV Cure is being conducted! These people are working tirelessly to help save countless lives. Full YouTube video tour to come!.Thanks to the @HOPEforHIVCure for giving me this special opportunity.
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Everyone impacted by #hiv will relate to one or more of the beautiful stories in Mark’s book. They’re vulnerable, tragic & funny all at once. I’m so happy I got to hear some of them read aloud last night. Proud of this guy! . Thank you Mark, for welcoming me into our diverse
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Click the link & vote for my video to support nicer, healthier online interactions. This is how I dealt with someone who shut me down for having #HIV.#NiceAF #UequalsU #visibility
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Made my PRO debut at the Natural Muscle Beach International in #Venice and took home 3rd in Men’s Physique. Can’t believe I placed my first time on the pro stage. Such a huge moment for me as an #HIVbodybuilder #HIV #AIDS #UequalsU
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He’s makin’ a come back 👊🏽. But really tho, 4 YEARS of weight gain and struggling to make any progress (mostly my inability to stay consistent in diet, exercise & sleep) has been so incredibly challenging for me. I’ve been embarrassed and ashamed to even go to the gym, feeling
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I AM worthy of taking up space on this planet. I AM worthy of being loved and loving someone else. I AM worthy. Therefore, I speak my TRUTH unashamed and PROUDLY. .#IAM #gay #nationalcomingoutday
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@waltermasterson To be fair she’s not saying that empathy itself is the issue but rather that it’s used to teach ideologies she doesn’t agree with.
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Mark @MyFabDisease and I met at @NMACCommunity’s USCHA conference in 2019! He welcomed me into the world of #HIV advocacy with love and respect ❤️. He’s been trailblazing HIV advocacy well-before I was diagnosed. In fact, his HIV antibodies have been around longer than I’ve been
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I wish more people saw the dedication and heart that countless investigators have committed to HIV cure research. It's my mission to make their work more visible. Watch the full interviews with these investigators at a poster session in 2023; link in comments below ⬇️
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SO excited to co-moderate this panel on gene editing for #HIVcure research along with @CAhlenstiel .Looking forward to sharing the results of the EBT-101 clinical trial!.Thank you to Priti Kumar of @HOPEforHIVCure for inviting me to moderate ❤️🙏🏽.@iasociety @AIDS_conference
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Proud to kick off Pride month on @thetodayshow talking about the #HIV epidemic with my good friends @brichman @deondrebmoore & Jesse Milan Jr. And I’m grateful to continue advocacy here and with @pluslifemedia. Watch the full segment:.#pridemonth
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@oldbooksguy It’s perfectly okay to stop briefly to look at your legs if one or some of them are moving dysfunctionally. Sort it out and keep it moving.
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A lot of folks stress that #hiv cure research is being suppressed because it’s not a money-maker for big pharma. Think of it this way, if they don’t pursue a cure, they run the risk of someone coming out with it first. If someone else comes out with the cure first they WILL.
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Yesterday I voted for the FIRST time. Last year I finally became a citizen after living here since I was 4 years old. I was born in Utrecht, Netherlands..#ivoted #presidential election
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Taking my #HIV medication at #USCHA2024 in New Orleans!. We are here and JOY will overcome. BLESS! ❤️. #SouthernJoy #HIV #AIDS #HIVadvocate @NMACCommunity
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whether I need to be up at 6, 5 or 4:30am. Giving myself 25 minutes to blast cardio first thing I do to start my day is giving me so much life & energy. #earlymorningworkout #startfresh
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@GavinNewsom If everyone would follow health protocols, small business owners struggling to open SAFELY wouldn’t have to suffer these lockdowns once again. Stop being selfish. Wear your masks, socially distance and no more gatherings with your friends PLEASE.
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My life feels like a whirlwind, lately. Trying to catch some rays in the calm eye of the storm when I can. ☀️🌪.#blessedandalittlestressed #selfcare #recharge
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Latest video: Why someone who is #HIV #undetectable should NOT HAVE TO disclose their status to potential sexual partners. Watch & weigh in. #AIDS #UequalsU #HIVbodybuilder
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Today over 569 HIV advocates gathered, trained and harmonized our voices to speak to our Congressional representatives on the Hill tomorrow. We will not be silenced. We are ready to be heard ❤️. @AIDSUnited @pluslifemedia #aidswatch
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Never settle & don’t let someone’s inability to show you the right kind of love taint your perception of what love really is #LOVE #HIV #AIDS #UequalsU #HIVbodybuilder
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