Mexican Porn Actor Alejandro Castillo Talks Porn, Sex and Living With HIV
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Porn performer Alejandro Castillo recently created a YouTube channel to explore issues around HIV and sexual health. In his first video he spoke openly about living with HIV. The declaration is groundbreaking, as he is one of the first openly HIV-positive porn actors in Mexico and across Latin America.
Castillo is an international porn actor, but his talents are not limited to the adult industry. He’s been a committed advocate for LGBT rights and has worked to reduce stigma around sex and HIV. He’s spoken out for all those who may not have a voice, and he’s demonstrated how critical representation is in the struggle for justice and equality. I had the pleasure of speaking with Alejandro Castillo about his new YouTube channel and how he hopes to make an impact on the community.
HORNET: Why did you decide to come out about being HIV-positive now? What has been the reaction from people in Mexico and online?
ALEJANDRO CASTILLO: Because I wasn’t ready until now. HIV status is a personal matter, and opening publicly in this way is a process that should only be carried out by someone who decides to do so by their own choice and for a specific purpose. In my case it is to increase visibility, because people who live with HIV tend to be invisible to society. I think that someone like me talking about their status publicly and having such an active sex life opens up the topic of conversation so that people speak about the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment and the fact that being undetectable makes it impossible to transmit HIV to others.
Regarding the online reactions, most have been good and supportive, although there are always those who write from fear and not from information.
In the United States and Europe there have been a number of openly HIV-positive porn performers. What sort of impact are you hoping your coming out will have on the community and how gay men think about HIV?
I didn’t know if there were other porn actors that talk about their status in Europe. What I can tell you is that in Mexico and Latin America there is no one to talk about the subject as I have done for years; now that I’ve decided to talk about my personal status I hope it will help people to lose their fear of knowing their status and let everyone know they can have a healthy and happy life while they stick to the treatment, just as I do. The key is to have accurate and updated information.
What do you think it will it take for men in Mexico to feel less stigmatized around sex and HIV?
The updated information. There are many campaigns about the use of condoms and testing, but there is not one that reports that treatment is free for everyone, that explains the benefits of living with HIV in treatment and of course, undetectability.
Working in the porn industry and being HIV-positive allows you to show that HIV-positive people can still be sexual. Many men worry that if they are positive, they will never have sex again. What can we tell them? That they need to leave behind all the stigmas and fears with which they grew up.
Nowadays science allows you to have a completely normal life if you’re living with HIV and on treatment. And when undetectable you’re unable able to transmit to others, even without a condom. Only having updated information can we be educated about those living with HIV. We are not a danger to others and deserve to have a sex life like anyone else.
What can we expect from your YouTube channel? How would you describe it to people?
My YouTube channel is a platform that can serve many people through my experience and accurate information. They can feel supported in their process, especially if they live in silence or have received a recent diagnosis. From my channel and everything I talk about you can expect that I’ll share updated and evidence-based information. I want people to know they are not alone and that if they wish they can join me and improve their relationship with the virus.
What is one thing you hope people will learn from you speaking openly about living with HIV?
That we are all equals no matter what our status is. We do not choose to live with HIV. It is not our fault, it’s not karma and it’s not something we “deserve.” HIV happens. Unfortunately it can happen to anyone as long as it exists. I wish it wasn’t like that.
I hope you also know that you can have a happy life just like me if you live with HIV. Know your status and stick to treatment, and in time, if you want, you can share it with others without fear of rejection and discrimination. Only by being well-informed will we all be well, both as individuals and as a society.
