David Anzuelo, an actor and fight director living with HIV, is currently engaged in the new production of BATHHOUSE.PPTX, a groundbreaking Broadway play that centers around a queer student’s surreal PowerPoint presentation on the history of bathhouses and AIDS. Diagnosed with HIV in 2001, David recently chose to publicly reveal his status after 22 years. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on the evolving landscape of HIV care, the vital role of art and community, and his personal philosophy of living life without limits.
David starts off by sharing how HIV treatment has evolved since 2001. “In 2001, the medications that were available still had some harsh side effects and my doctor recommended that I hold out a few years for new medications to be released,” David explains. “So, we waited and it ended up taking almost five years. By then the viral load had grown significantly and my T cells dropped really low. So, I started a new medication and it was just in time.”
Courtesy Lulu Dropo
But that was just the beginning of his journey dealing with the healthcare system, a journey filled with both highs and lows. “My insurance changed a couple years ago and they no longer covered the medications I was on, but they did cover the generic versions,” David shares. “They were supposedly the same medication, just not the name brand, but they had very severe side effects. Luckily, I advocated for my health and my doctor put me on some new medications and it worked like a charm.”
David explains that finding the right treatment regimen is an involved process that requires people to stand up for themselves and be vocal, but even then getting access is still a hurdle for marginalized people living with HIV. “I'm very fortunate that I go to a pharmacy that is really supportive and friendly with helping me get medication,” David says. “It's an organization called AHF Pharmacy and I don't know how they do it, but they've completely changed my experience with having access. Finding allies in every step of the healthcare process is vital to optimizing your health.”
Courtesy Lulu Dropo
Another issue affecting people living with HIV is the stigma that comes with disclosing one’s status. David shares how stigma kept him silent for 22 years and how he was able to overcome it. “I was influenced to stay closeted about my status because of growing up during the AIDS epidemic,” David explains. “It was a devastating period in time. And then I was in martial arts and show business. I felt disclosing would either cause problems with my employment or representation and that there was a risk with contact doing martial arts. But as time passed, there were many examples of people in my field who were coming forward and disclosing. I would see them and see their success. They were doing more than just being actors and directors. They were representing all of us and were stepping forward, speaking out. Everybody still loved them and that really inspired me.”
That inspiration encouraged David to seek out more community by joining writing and playwriting courses and getting involved with more projects focused on HIV and AIDS. “I had an opportunity to take a writing course called Write it Out that provided a group of us with HIV a safe space to figure things out as a writer,” David shares. “It was about getting to know other people who understood my situation and understanding theirs. They were wonderful and supportive, and that space ended up really empowering me.”
Courtesy Lulu Dropo
This new, empowered mindset is what drives David forward today where he’s working as a fight coordinator on the Broadway play BATHHOUSE.PPTX. “Ever since I disclosed my status publicly, I've been invested in building bridges between generations, especially queer people of color and BATHHOUSE.PPTX has a young cast of actors, many of whom are queer,” David explains. “So, when I was approached to be involved, I thought that it was a great opportunity to help them tell this story. Having lived through the 80s and 90s and having gone to bathhouses, I was able to authentically guide them through the culture and subculture of the bathhouse and how people interacted.”
Looking back on all he’s accomplished, David understands that his treatment regimen and long-term injectable options have helped him feel limitless to not only share who he is with others but help those who are struggling like he was. “I don't have to worry about feeling anxious anymore about transmitting HIV, and I can be fully present, focusing on the work without the apprehension behind every movement that I make like I used to. Although I take my daily pill, the ability to get treatment through a monthly injectable is super convenient. For friends of mine, having that option and not having to stress about forgetting to take their medication has opened them up to so much more in life.”
Courtesy Lulu Dropo
David Anzuelo's journey encapsulates a narrative of resilience, advocacy, and artistic expression. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and finding supportive allies in the healthcare system. Moreover, his journey reflects a broader struggle against stigma, but by embracing his identity and becoming an active advocate for the HIV community, David has found empowerment and purpose. As he continues to break down barriers and build bridges between generations, David exemplifies the transformative power of art, community, and personal resilience in living a life without limits.
