Entertainment reporter Marc Malkin comes out as HIV-positive

Entertainment journalist Marc Malkin has come out as HIV-positive, saying that “visibility matters” when it comes to the stigma which still surrounds the virus.

Malkin, best known for his work reporting from Hollywood red carpets for E! News, opened up about his diagnosis in an Instagram post on Monday (June 11) after taking part in charity bike ride AIDS/LifeCycle in California.

Admitting he’d been inspired by ABC reporter Karl Schmid’s decision to come out as HIV-positive on Instagram earlier this year, Malkin revealed he’d been living with HIv for nine years.

In an emtional post, he wrote: “I am back home. Back home after riding my first @aidslifecycle. The ride has left me with many things, but probably the biggest gift I have received is the inspiration to live my truth. On this beautiful day of LGBTQ pride, I have something to say for the first time in such a public forum.

“I am HIV-positive.”

 

I am back home. Back home after riding my first @aidslifecycle. The ride has left me with many things, but probably the biggest gift I have received is the inspiration to live my truth. On this beautiful day of LGBTQ pride, I have something to say for the first time in such a public forum. I am HIV-positive. In short, I lived much of my thirties in confusion, depression and a search to find myself. I partied too much. I struggled with crystal meth. I was diagnosed with HIV about nine years ago. Today, I am sober and living with HIV. @haircoloristfabian came out as HIV-positive recently on Facebook. My dear friend @karljschmid did the same on Instagram. These two amazing men sparked the inspiration to come out about my status. AIDS/LifeCycle convinced me it was time. Visibility matters. Just ask the men on the ride who told Fabian that his story inspired them to ride. So, here I am celebrating LGBTQ pride and honoring my Uncle David and my Uncle Arthur by standing up and saying, “I am HIV-positive.”

A post shared by Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) on Jun 10, 2018 at 11:15am PDT

The former Drag Race guest judge continued: “In short, I lived much of my thirties in confusion, depression and a search to find myself. I partied too much. I struggled with crystal meth. I was diagnosed with HIV about nine years ago.

“Today, I am sober and living with HIV. @haircoloristfabian came out as HIV-positive recently on Facebook. My dear friend @karljschmid did the same on Instagram. These two amazing men sparked the inspiration to come out about my status. AIDS/LifeCycle convinced me it was time.

“Visibility matters. Just ask the men on the ride who told Fabian that his story inspired them to ride. So, here I am celebrating LGBTQ pride and honoring my Uncle David and my Uncle Arthur by standing up and saying, ‘I am HIV-positive.'”

After being flooded with messages of support, Malkin took to Instagram once again on Wednesday (June 15) to express his gratitude.

“The last couple of days have shown me that visibility really does matter. The emails, messages and texts I have received since coming out as HIV positive have been overwhelming. In the best possible way.

“You have told me you are living with HIV. You have told me about family and friends living with HIV and you have also told me about those you have lost to the disease.

“Thank you for trusting me with your stories. Thank you for all the love.”