Life After All is my personal blog. This is where I think out loud as part of my AIDS advocacy for over 30 years, and my life in general.

I'm Tez Anderson, an HIV long-term survivor activist, atheist, writer, and speaker. Honestly, I'm still pondering what this blog will actually be about. I've lived with HIV since 1983, so that unique perspective will inform the publication.

I’m a 66-year-old Queer sisgender male. In 2008, I married Mark Ruiz, an incredible man. We live in San Francisco with our Labradoodle, Riley. Yes, we are THOSE gays.

I’m an HIV long-term survivor, living with HIV since 1983. I received an AIDS diagnosis in 1993 after coming down with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).

Some say, “I have AIDS, but it does not have me.” I’m not one of them. AIDS has been one of the defining aspects of my life, so it has me.

I’ve been an AIDS activist since 1989, the first time I publicly disclosed my HIV-positive status in an article in the Chicago Tribune. I founded Let’s Kick ASS — AIDS Survivor Syndrome in 2013 with the mission of “empowering HIV Long-Term Survivors (HLTS) to thrive.” LKA was the first nonprofit by, for, and about HLTS, an overlooked population.

I also coined the term “AIDS Survivor Syndrome (ASS)” to describe the psychosocial ramifications of surviving the AIDS pandemic.

I launched HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day every June 5 to raise awareness that leads to action while highlighting the resilience and strength of people living longest with HIV/AIDS.

HLTSAD.org

I'm a writer, speaker, and longtime HIV/AIDS activist. In 1990, I disclosed my HIV-positive status in People magazine. (http://bit.ly/TezAIDS) I've appeared in documentaries for the BBC, BBC2, Channel 4 TV (UK), and ABC’s 20/20 (2005). I have been a guest on NPR’s Fresh Air twice with Terry Gross (1992 & 2000).

I'm the subject of a ten-minute documentary for NBC’s TODAY Show that aired on World AIDS Day 2018 http://bit.ly/TezAIDS.

What it’s like to live with HIV

Tez Anderson, long-term HIV survivor, shares what it’s like to be living with the HIV virus for 35 years and gives a glimpse into everything from his diagnosis, treatment and life.

TODAY

In 2025, I was in a documentary called I Was Supposed to Die" HIV Survivors. You can watch it here> >

Surviving Voices: HIV Lifetime & Long-Term Survivors

I've written for Time magazine, POZ, and other publications. He has twice made the POZ 100 of activists making a difference.

Learn more at https://LetsKickASS.hiv, https://HLTSAD.org, or https://tezanderson.me