My designer-imposter hat’s off to Mondo Guerra from this season’s Project Runway. In an emotional episode last night, the thirty-two year-old fan favorite revealed that he has been HIV-positive for over ten years. Hiding his status from his family members and the cast of the show inspired a brave, risky move from this talented artist.
The challenge was to design a custom textile pattern themed after a moment from each designer’s life. Mondo’s inspiration was his status, what it has taken from him and the enduring strength he has gained through it all.
The pattern was a bright, colorful and cheerful expression of what he has accomplished and his hopes for the future that I’m certain will be filled with swatches, model fittings and runway shows. The episode was a tear jerker. Fan or not, I suggest you all check out this episode to see a true artist emerge and triumph.
– Diego
To watch video of this moment, follow the JUMP:
Mondo’s story was very touching, I’ve loved him and his style since day one. Between him and everyone’s mothers coming to visit, I was crying for practically half the episode.
very brave of him to reveal his status like that. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could do that without fear of the backlash? Someday
I actually cried last night. I have lost many friends to this deseise since 1984 when some of the first cases were identified. It”s not over yet so we need to understand that we still need to protect ourselves. I shake my head when I go to websites where they allow barebacking. Not only is thät fangerous, it sends the wrong message. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!! Be strong and play safe. ~Jay Blue
Sorry Bitch, you’re not Ongina. Stop trying to steal a queens thunder.
I need to spell check the next time, but you know what I mean!
The episode was very emotional beginning to end! And Mondo’s BRAVE coming out about his status on the Runway was inspirational! as was the acceptance and support by the judges and his fellow contestants!
Ugh! Gays with HIV on television. Disgusting example for the gay community to be represented by an HIV gay man. All the conservative bigots on this board will think this is a typical gay male and it represents all gay men badly. Disgusting.
Isn’t anyone gonna talk about Christopher and his hot partner? (I know people are gonna call me shallow over this) I wish the producers are not that biased. I mean, I’m sorry for Mondo and his talent is OK (Siriano is still the best to come out of the show) but half of the episode is intentionally dedicated to him. If you catch my drift.
Mondo showed great courage and class in his opening up to the world. The man is following his passion and is a very positive face of HIV. I give him accolades. It took balls the size of billiard balls for him to come out like that. I know a lot of straight guys who could not show such strength of commitment.
maybe he revealed it for sympathy votes
Mond’s revelation was just such am amaqing and heart wrenching moment, that it is hard to imagine some of you being critical. This is a highly watched show for gay men , creative and inspiring for creativativy. Why would any of you damn a man who is HIV for being cast on the show. He is brilliant and a survivor with a great attiude, which we need to encourage all of our piers to be.
As a man that has HIV, I’ve experienced the backlash, even by guys who post on this board. I don’t take his revelation lightly, nor do I find it to be a subject to be mocked or used to make fun of others. Shows the maturity of some on here.
Don’t fool yourself “Proud” mary….An HIV gay man on tv simply represents how much HIV is part of the gay community. Like it or not, it DOES represent a cross-section of our community. There are presumptions of how people associate HIV with gay men. Are people wrong to think otherwise with the mere mention of HIV? Now introduce the context of Project Runway itself, is it a wonder people see the connection between gays, effeminacy and the fashion industry? Yes, it’s a terribly extreme comparison, but that’s the ugly truth.
Kudos to Mondo for bringing his life into his work.
navysausage. I totally agree with you. I am HIV+ also. I wrote that post to mock someone else and he knows who he is. My point was not lost on him. I do not consider it a disability like he does.
I adore Mondo. I think he is very brave.
More power to Mondo for living a more authentic, honest and open life.
I do not consider it a disability. I see the bullying still continues. I am on disabiility for another issue. You are only making yourself look like an idiot, Gay and Proud. Continue on. I truly don’t care.
Oh but you do! LOL
Bullying? LOL
Contempt for a conservative man who has negative feelings towards the gay community? Yes! You got that right.
Why anyone would want to support the right wing agenda when they clearly have no respect for you as a gay man is so sad. There is a very far right wing element that believes all HIV people should be imprisoned. I am Proud to say that I find this despicable as well as anyone who supports radicals in a group like this by supporting any part of their agenda. Of course you would not know this because you probably watch FOX News. Er, excuse me. Fixed News. LOL
Loving this!
G&P is right. There is a faction of conservatives that believe HIV poz people should be imprisoned. And don’t forget the conservative agenda to repeal health care. Not to mention their opposition to gay marriage and the repeal of DADT. Listen to Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle and Rand Paul and even John McCain. Very scary stuff guys.
Thanks Freddie for the support!
HA! Freddie is the same as G&P!! He just screwed up big time! I knew his “support” was himself! What a scum bucket!
G&P you just need to STFU. YOu are truly ignorant. I have never seen ToddM refer to his HIV as his disability. Through the mentions in the blogs, it appears to be two separate items.
Second, all news is fixed – if you don’t believe that, then you truly are ignorant.
Bullying – absolutely. Def: A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing
2. involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
Yep – you meet the definition of bullying. You have taken a one man crusade to target a few people to drive them off the board or to simply get them to shut up. Did you always get picked last when teams were being formed on the playground?
And I’m sorry, but gays and the current agenda is the least of this nation’s worries. No one, absolutely no one, should be basing their political decisions – issues, parties, candidates, on anything to do with sexuality, period! If you do, then you are an even bigger idiot that you come across on this blog. The gay issues are simply a side issue that serve to detract from the real important issues … and each side has their pet distraction issues.
Wow – way to add to your credibility. DEF: the quality of being believable or trustworthy.
G&P/Freddie – imprisoned?! OMG! What in the hell are you smoking. Can you share any legitimate website links to those stories? I’d like to see that. Typical rant – make wild accusations that are totally unfounded but will catch on and get repeated as fact by idiots.
though I am negative, I know many people that r positive, including an uncle of mine… I try to do my part in my community, by raising donations for our local AIDS Walk and more recently joining a committee that organizes an art auction for many AIDS organizations in my area… (we raised almost $30,000 this summer)..
I even designed a T-shirt that I call “love positive” which is what I believe everyone’s status in this world should be, regardless of HIV….
if anyone is interested, the link is below. the way it works is that the company takes a cut for the production and the profits come my way (very little, like $3 per unit)… I am donating any profit I receive to local AIDS organizations….
xoxo,
V.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/vagnerwhitehead/t-shirts/5019022-1-love-positive
LOL. LOL. LOL. HAHAHAHA
I have your attention now. Didn’t even bother reading your posts. You are both a couple of right wing nuts.
I will continue to taunt you but have no interest in anything you have to say. You just don’t get it. I am doing this for a laugh and to provoke you and I’ve succeeded. LOL
Yeah. Really mature. I’m sure you’ve won over the support of everyone on here……. Guess what? Taunt all you want. I refuse to give you anymore attention. Bye bye!
A guy that is HIV poz for over 10 years and is afraid to tell his family but yet, decides to come out on National TV in a competition…
Seriouly guys…if you believe this wasn’t ntentional nor a publicity stunt, you are sadly mistaken.
An then you say he has courage??? Really? He oculdnt tell his family for 10 years. TEN YEARS!!!! He is not courageous whatsoever. He is more calculating & cunning them anything else.
An lastly, if you think the producers didnt know he was HIV poz, you are wrong. You need to reveal all of this when you apply/accepted for insurance reasons etc.
It was a poorly written scripted peace.
A guy that is HIV poz for over 10 years and is afraid to tell his family but yet, decides to come out on National TV in a competition…
Seriouly guys…if you believe this wasn’t ntentional nor a publicity stunt, you are sadly mistaken.
An then you say he has courage??? Really? He oculdnt tell his family for 10 years. TEN YEARS!!!! He is not courageous whatsoever. He is more calculating & cunning than anything else.
And lastly, if you think the producers didnt know he was HIV poz, you are wrong. You need to reveal all of this when you apply/accepted for insurance reasons etc.
It was a poorly written scripted piece.
Whether he waited ten years or not isn’t the point. The fact that he admitted on National Television is the point. Who cares if it was scripted. Still took courage.
And why don’t you post under your real name or have a link to your page? Seems you aren’t the least bit courageous either.
ToddM – it is exactly the point. Why is it that you always seem to miss the point.
Better still – why is it that you think your opinion is the ONLY one that counts.
I don’t think my opinion is the only one that counts! I’ve NEVER said that. I accept your opinion, I just happen to disagree with it. I know how tough it is to tell someone or anyone that I am HIV +. So that’s why I said what I did. Didn’t need to get your undies in a wad.