AIDS activists, youth HIV/AIDS education-educators-Bob Bowers-long-term AIDS survivors-Madison, Wisconsin & United States
Wisconsin AIDS activists, youth hiv/aids educators and long-term survivors-Bob Bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
Wisconsin AIDS activists, long-term survivors and youth HIV/AIDS educators-Bob Bowers One Tough Pirate-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

Madison, Wisconsin AIDS activist Bob Bowers-AIDS/HIV awareness, education, prevention, activism, advocacy by Bob Bowers One Tough Pirate

Madison, Wisconsin AIDS activists, long-term HIV/AIDS survivors & Youth HIV/AIDS education-United States-Live to tell the tale!
 

"If there were such a thing as a force of destiny in our lives, I would say that Bob Bowers was born for this role; no one has carried this difficult mantle with more dignity, conviction, purpose, and compassion."

 ~Madeleine Schwab
Cross Roads High School
Santa Monica, California

youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools, colleges, jails and universities

AIDS activist, Youth HIV/AIDS educator and long-term HIV/AIDS survivor - Bob Bowers' www.onetoughpirate.com

 

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I'd like to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks for your compassion, love, support, and for taking the time to visit my personal website! I sincerely hope that you enjoy your time spent here. OTP has been in existence for over eight years. This site pays homage to hope, survival and to the over 25 million of our courageous brothers and sisters, that were taken from us far too early in life. My wish is that it also lends hope and understanding to those who pass upon these pages. No matter what obstacles we may face in life, I truly believe that where there is a will, there is a way. May this site be a reminder to us all, myself included, that we are indeed one. May we remember that life is precious and a wondrous passage worthy of giving it our all. I have survived living with HIV/AIDS for a quarter of a century and have dedicated my life to educating and empowering youth and others about this dreadful scourge we call AIDS. I am truly blessed to be alive. I despise the stigma that continues to drive the AIDS epidemic. Through my advocacy and activism, I work diligently to address the core issues of poverty, racism, homophobia, women's rights, domestic violence, homelessness, addiction etc. Regardless of HIV/AIDS, it is vital that we not turn on backs on those who need our love and support. In 2006 I created our youth AIDS awareness poster contest, to pose the simple and profound question, "What if it Were You?" I fight equally to be a voice of hope, knowing that we all have obstacles to overcome. I've come to realize that good, bad or ugly, life is truly a blessing. Throughout these many years of being a long-term survivor of AIDS, an AIDS activist, and through my advocacy as a youth HIV/AIDS educator, I have had the privilege and honor to speak to countless thousands of students and adults alike about life and living life with HIV/AIDS, neither of which are easy. Without a doubt, education and awareness remain vital in helping to stop the spread of HIV. I hope that through my speaking, or in my day to day interactions, that I've helped empower others to live life to the fullest as you have helped me! I give endless thanks and praise to you, my family, friends and those individuals who have blessed my voyage to this point in life. I say without a doubt, "I did not get here alone!" Your involvement in my life and/or words of love and encouragement, are forever embedded in my heart, soul, mission and on the many pages throughout this website! Once again, welcome. Compassion is our cure!

Namaste,
Bob Bowers
A.k.a. Da Pirate

Da Pirate-AIDS Activists and youth HIV/AIDS educators

Dear Friends:

There are no words to describe the impact that Bob Bowers has had on my students and me. He is a very courageous man with an extremely powerful life or death message. I have invited him to come and talk to our freshman class for the past two years and will continue to have him back in the future. I could easily go on and on about the importance of having a person of his caliber come and talk to your school or group, however I feel hearing it from the students makes it more relevant. After his presentation, the students are asked to write a reflection on what they thought of Bob’s message.
Here is what some of them said:

Bob was an amazing speaker. He is doing one of the greatest things possible. He is sharing a story to help fight a pandemic. He made me not only realize to be a fighter for my own battles, but to use my own struggles and experiences to help others.”

His story not only informed me on what the effects of HIV/AIDS can do to a person physically, but
AIDS awareness posters by Edgewood High School students in Madison, Wisconsin as part of HIVictorious' youth HIV/AIDS poster contest, "What if it Were You?" emotionally and spiritually as well. His speech was enlightening and it showed me the importance of keeping the quality of life as high as possible in addition to informing me about HIV/AIDS and other STIs.”

I was very inspired by Bob Bowers and what he has gone through. I thought he was a great speaker and really connected on every human level. He was not just giving facts but really how it changes every aspect of your life when you get HIV. “

He wasn’t just informative, he was real. He was very straightforward with the information and his problem. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. It was refreshing that he didn’t try to hide his emotions in front of the group. This was probably one of the best presentations I have seen.”


As you can tell from the statements above, Bob has left lasting impressions on my students. He has multiplied the value of our unit on HIV/AIDS by sharing his personal experiences in a way that reaches each and EVERY student. As Bob states, he is a man with a gift to share, and it is my hope that all people will continue to allow Bob to share his gift. It is with great respect and honor that I recommend Bob Bowers as one of the top educators for HIV/AIDS.

Respectfully,

Mekel Wiederholt Meier
Edgewood High School
Madison, Wisconsin

 

Oregon speaking tour-May and June 2009

 

youth hiv/aids education by long-term AIDS survivors in the state of Oregon

 

Long-term AIDS survivors and Youth HIV/AIDS educators Rey Cordova, Bob Bowers, Rebekka Armstrong and Kalee Garland
HIVictorious' Oregon speaking tour included stops in Portland, Albany, Corvallis, Eugene and Alsea, Oregon...
We have over 100 years of combined living with HIV/AIDS. Stay tuned for more news and photos...
Click here for exclusive photos from our tour

 
 

HIV/AIDS prevention education in jails and correctional facilities-Madison, Wisconsin and the United States

 

The Capital Times
Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate or One Tough Pirate-AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin and United States HIV/AIDS news/awareness
Jail offering HIV education to inmates

The Capital Times  —  5/20/2009

Dane County Jail inmates are now able to get free education in how to prevent and treat HIV, thanks to a Madison-based organization brought in by the sheriff's office.

HIVictorious Inc., started by activist Bob Bowers, who's had HIV for 20 years, has been enlisted to make presentations to inmates, to improve the health and lives of the jail population.

HIV is prevalent at a much higher rate in correctional facilities than in the general population, according to the Journal of Urban Health.

"By improving the health and lives of our inmate population, ultimately everyone wins," Sheriff Dave Mahoney said in a release announcing the education program.

Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention, awareness in schools in Wisconsin and the United States More news on long-term AIDS survivor Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate
 
   

HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers after presenting for the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wisconsin

 
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 

AIDS activism in Madison, Wisconsin and the United States - AIDS activist Bob Bowers Da Pirate or One Tough Pirate

 

There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul...
--Ella Wheeler Wilcox

 
   

AIDS activists Bob Bowers and friends from ACT UP Wisconsin protesting in front of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services building
in Madison, Wisconsin. We demand that the disparity of service in our state ENDS!

 

Hello Friends,

As many of you may have noticed, I’ve facilitated and pressed to form ACT UP Wisconsin.

It has been brought to my attention and to others in our activist organization that our relationship with Greg Milward could have ‘repercussions.’

AIDS activist Bob Bowers with ACT UP Wisconsin in MadisonI believe in my heart-of-hearts that Greg’s vision and agenda are in the right place to assure that the disparity of services in our state, that has been so very well documented, never happens again. His vision is to help assure that all of us living with HIV/AIDS in Wisconsin deserve the same access to care, treatment and services, regardless of which agency serves us, or which region of the state we live in. This is something I couldn’t agree with more, regardless of how it needs to happen. I welcome and celebrate the current changes that AIDS Network has implemented. I look forward to the day that I don’t have to travel to Milwaukee to access care and services that should have been in Madison YEARS ago.


I don’t take offense to Greg’s bold and courageous stand, I stand with him, we stand with him!  

I DO take offense that Greg, my wife (Teresa), Della, Ray, Mark, Heidi, Christina and I are all being labeled, “embittered dissidents!”

Many of us have poured our hearts and souls into the AIDS Network and the ACT Rides, only to be labeled, “embittered dissidents,” and shunned by our friends because we are brave enough to publicly address our concerns. We’re tired of rhetoric; we’re tired of being shunned and driven to silence!

I am so very grateful to Karen Dotson and Dan Guinn for meeting with me today. After reading the Isthmus article that came out today, (www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=25940) I was incredibly saddened and completely outraged and offended. In spite of my tireless efforts to lead by example, take the higher ground, educate, advocate, SURVIVE, support the agency and ALL those who support it, including the ACT Ride crew and riders, I now have earned the glorious label of “embittered dissident.”

My friends, my motivations are MY motivations. Given the simple fact that during the four years of being a client of AIDS Network I was NEVER given a reassessment, how can you on one hand call me and my friends, “embittered dissidents,” and on the other, say you are giving great services. This is NOT about me, this is about ALL of my brothers and sisters living with HIV in the state of Wisconsin who remain voiceless, powerless or for any reason unable to advocate for themselves.

My motivation to now take a public stance and speak truth to power to State Representative Pocan, Dr. Vergeront, AIDS Network or anyone involved with AIDS services in our state, or lack thereof , is MY agenda!

If you think ANYONE in our ACT UP chapter is damaging themselves by taking a stand with Mr. Milward, I encourage you to speak with us as a group; let’s talk about it!  

The finger pointing, favoritism, silence, apathy and status quo have NEVER served the AIDS movement.

Conversely, be it issues at the state or federal level, rather than settle and remain silent, we mobilize, we strategize, we come together as individuals and organizations and DEMAND the necessary changes!

The point being, my personal role with ACT UP Wisconsin is not to attack any one person or organization. I have nothing but gratitude for ALL that AIDS Network has done for me in years past. I still have nothing but love and respect for all who have supported the agency over the years. I am not being coerced by Greg Milward, I demand change!

I don’t feel any of us from ACT UP Wisconsin have a vendetta for any individual or organization. We all came to ACT UP with our own concerns and issues, NOT those that were so called ‘contrived’ by Greg and www.wisconsinhiv.com.

If I am proven wrong, I will be the first to admit it. In the meantime, I refuse to be intimidated, silenced or swayed by AIDS Network, its supporters, our state HIV/AIDS Division and lawmakers; nor do I want Ms. Haugen, Mr. Milward, or anyone from ACT UP Wisconsin and our communities treated in this manner.

My friends, we are a group of caring, passionate, compassionate, committed, infected and affectedACT UP Wisconsin-AIDS activism in Madison, Wisconsin individuals who know no bounds and are willing to PUBLICLY and courageously tackle the issues that others, for whatever reason, remain silent about and/or walk away in antipathy, never having the chance to have a public voice.

SILENCE=DEATH and ACTION=LIFE!

We are FAR from embittered, we are resolute and will NOT be silenced, nor allow our brothers and sisters to be publicly humiliated and libeled for taking an unfavorable stance by a derogatory title of “embittered dissidents.”

I wholeheartedly believe that  my dear friends from AIDS Network, the ACT Rides, my family, colleagues and those living with HIV/AIDS would have far more respect for me taking a stand, speaking MY truth and doing what I feel is right for the AIDS movement in Wisconsin and beyond. I believe that we will all look back on this one day as a historical and unprecedented stand in the AIDS movement. 

It’s time to return to a sense of urgency and unity; it’s TIME to put our egos, paychecks and differences aside. 

It’s TIME to put the focus on the FIGHT, not survival at any cost to save our organizations, paychecks or pride.

It’s time to DEMAND that ALL persons living with HIV/AIDS are not treated like victims, but rather empowered and able to have an equal voice, equal access to care, treatment and services, live with dignity, purpose and passion. 

We’re not to just accept the crumbs we’re given, as Larry Kramer so eloquently spoke, but to take a hard look, a difficult stand, and to be part of the solution, not the problem.

AIDS Inc. has us by the balls and I refuse to succumb!

If there are repercussions for this, if I lose my DEAR friends because of my bold stand, then so be it. I can hold my head high now and will go to my grave knowing I did what I felt was truly right.

Like Greg Milward and countless others who have gone before us, I have found the courage to take a bold and unpopular stance to assure that we continue striving for access to care, treatment and services and ultimately an end to the scourge of AIDS on our planet.

If you choose to shun me, I am deeply saddened. This is exactly why I cut-to-the-chase and met with Dan Guinn and Karen Dotson today at AIDS Network. I’m not leaving room for any doubt of where I stand. I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve, literally, and this moment is no exception.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m one of the most committed, passionate and caring people living with and advocating on behalf those of us living with this dreadful disease.  I have nothing but love and overwhelming gratitude to those who support the fight against AIDS.

To my friends that I’ve met through the agency, the concerned supporters of AIDS Network, or anyone else, if you have ANY doubt of where my head or heart is at, whether my agenda is pure, what motivates me to ACT UP, please address me and leave the details of your opinions about others in ACT UP out of it. My truth is MY truth!

This is a matter of principal and accountability. As Ms. Dotson stated so well, “we can ALL do better.” I say, we MUST do better!

I stand UNITED and DETERMINED!

 
ACT UP Wisconsin-AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power-AIDS Activists in Wisconsin  

 

SILENCE = DEATH
 
 
 
Bob,

Thanks so much for doing what you do. VERY important. I think many people feel they don't know anyone who has HIV/AIDS. I'm guessing many people actually DO know someone affected by it... they just don't know that they know someone. People are so scared still that it's not typically talked about openly. It needs to be talked about. I have a friend who's been living with AIDS for over a decade now. He'll tell anyone who asks, he doesn't lie about it, but he doesn't necessarily advertise it either. Too much stigma, too much at risk for him to lose. Things must change. Thank you so much for your site and for doing what you do. It's so important to educate the public. You're awesome!

Best wishes to you,
Kristina

 
   

AIDS activists Bob and Teresa Bowers with friends from ACT UP Wisconsin demonstrating in front of AIDS Network
in Madison, Wisconsin. We have been silenced long enough and WE DEMAND CHANGE!

 
 
 

Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention and awareness in schools and jails in Wisconsin and the United States

 
Dear Bob,

Some people think that a hero is someone like a firefighter, soldier or a sports star. Someone who is brave, honest and invincible. After listening to you speak the other day, I would say the true hero is you. You are brave because you can say what you feel and express your emotions in front of 100's of people. Living with AIDS for 23 years makes you invincible and for that, I give you my utmost respect and thanks. I never thought that someone could change my outlook of life in just one hour. Out of all the lectures andMadison, Wisconsion-AIDS activists, youth HIV/AIDS education, advocacy, long-term survivor-Bob Bowers speeches I've listened to in my life, yours was by far the best. You give people a glimpse into the real world of a person living with AIDS and you definitely got through to us. You break the stereotypical image of a person with AIDS. You didn't want to tell us what to do, which made us instantly like you. Someone who has the ability to make a group of people laugh, cry, and think, has an amazing talent. I wish I knew the words to say how much I appreciate you coming to to speak. I wish you the best of luck on the rest of your journey through life. If I could achieve just a fraction of what you have done in my life, I could die happy. But for now, we both know who the hero is.

Love,
Bailey S.

 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers at Edgewood High School in Madison, Wisconsin-GO CRUSADERS!

 
All I can say is WOW!! You have definitely impressed me. I know the world needs more compassionate people like yourself. There is a quote from a spiritual leader Moses Brings Plenty of the Lakota Nation. "This world is filled humans, but there are only a handful of human beings." You are truly a human being.

~Jeffrey
 
Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention, awareness in schools in Wisconsin and the United States More letters to Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate
 
 
 
 

My husband and I watched 'The Fire Within' last night. It was so powerful and heartfelt. You are an amazing spirit Bob. You are a brave 'WARRIOR' and you put up a good fight against HIV/AIDS. I hope you are doing well today! It's a day at a time. I thank you for the work you are doing and the hope you instill.

Peace, Good Health and Many, Many Blessings friend,
~Nancy~

 
This movie was a real life view into what a person, with HIV, and those closest to them, go through daily. The mental and physical toll in the process of fighting this disease can be difficult in many ways. It is a story which is important because there are so many good people out there struggling to maintain their dignity and quality of life. Some people isolate themselves and feel quite alone. The best thing about this film is that it shows those people they are not alone, and that they can have pride in their fight against this disease.
 

AIDS documentary films-documentary on long-term AIDS survivor Bob Bowers- The Fire Within by Leanne Whitney Rent it on DVD

 
aids activists, youth hiv/aids educators & advocates-bob bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
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Bob Bowers featured on Channel 27's
"People Making a Difference."

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Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

 

 

youth hiv/aids prevention comprehensive sex education in schools, colleges, jails and universities in Madison, Wisconsin and the United States-Bob Bowers

 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers with students from Evansville High School in Evansville, Wisconsin

 

I just wanted to let you know you are an amazing person! my true hero and I look up to you so much!
Keep it real man and spread the awareness!

~Sara

 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers with students from Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin

 

Bob, I was just on your website and I must say I loved it. You are a real inspiration to people with or with out HIV/AIDS. I commend you for all you do.

~Liz

 

 

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz at Edgewood High School in Madison Wisconsin-Dab the AIDS Bear

 

Bob Bowers and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz with Dab the AIDS Bear-Edgewood High School

 

Visit our amazing friend, activist, advocate and fellow survivor, Dab Garner
www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com

 

Yo keep up the great work
wish u the best. you are a huge force almost unreal and inspire all those people that need help. u need to be recognized more worldwide if possible. with more people like you the world would be better place-cya

~Amyr

 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers with students after doing prevention/education at La Follette High School in Madison, Wisconsin

 
Thank you. You have done an amazing job of of turning lemons into lemonade. U have taken ur mistakes and misfortune and accepted it and used your experiences to educate our generation to ensure that we r not faced with the same difficulties that u did. So I just wanted to say thank you. U gave an engaging and informational life lesson that I will never forget.

~Emiliano

 
Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention, awareness in schools in Wisconsin and the United States More letters to Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate
 
 
 
 
Your ink is AMAZING! You are truly an inspiration, and I applaud all your energy and effort you have dedicated to such a worthy cause!

~Steven
 
The world needs more people like you Bob. Your an inspiration to many and that includes me! Thank you!

~Viola

 
Thank you Bob, but I think I am the blessed one to see such a wonderful person committed like you are and so positive and loving:) God's many blessing to you

~Carolyn
 
The world needs more people like you Bob. You're an inspiration to many.

~Daniel
 
I tripped over your website and found it inspiring and your tattoos cool as hell. Keep doing what you're doing man, you're making the world a better place."

~John
 

 

World Aids Day focuses on what you can do to combat the disease

At first glance, dressed in black, with tattoos running up and down both arms, and a skull-like silver belt buckle, Bob Bowers is an imposing figure.

That is until he starts to to talk about living with HIV/AIDS for 23 years. Tears start flowing and the tough guy persona melts away.
The tears, he says, aren’t about his life. They are for the millions of people around the world who have died from the disease or its complications. Many of them were his friends.

Thursday, Bowers and Kalee Garland, 21, who was born with HIV which turned into “full blown AIDS” when she was just 7 years old, spoke at Linn-Benton Community College during World AIDS day. Their visit was sponsored by the college’s Student Life and Leadership office.

“We have lost 25 million brothers and sisters so far,” Bowers said. “Yet, this is a preventable disease.”

An Oregon native, Bowers said AIDS is an extension of social issues including extreme poverty, racism, and physical and mental abuse. Bowers lost his mother when he was 10 and never knew a real father figure. He went looking for love and often in the wrong places. At 19, he was living a fast life of drugs and unprotected sex in Los Angeles.

At 21, he was diagnosed with what was then called Gay Related Immune Deficiency. He said AIDS no longer garners front page headlines because people believe there are “drug cocktails” that have defeated the disease.

“Those cocktails are actually chemotherapeutic medications,” Bowers said. “They are powerful, they make you sick. It isn’t pleasant and they cost thousands of dollars per month.” They also don’t work for everyone with AIDS.

Bowers said HIV/AIDS does not discriminate by social class. It is not a homosexual disease.

“It’s not who you are, it’s what you do,” Bowers said. “If you want to shoot dope, don’t share needles. If you want to have sex, use a condom.”

Garland is a San Diego, Calif. native who learned about her disease after a teacher thought she had been abused at home. Bruises were outward signs of her disease.

“I love my life. I was supposed to die at age 7,” Garland said. “I am not a survivor; I am a fighter.”

Garland has endured the inability to fight off infections caused by the disease, including battling meningitis four times and having 68 spinal taps during her many stays in hospitals. She has also suffered from the ignorance of others, including teachers, when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

Garland is engaged to be married and says her fiancé does not have HIV/AIDS. Bowers was married for 11 years and his wife did not have HIV/AIDS, nor does she now. He has been in a 3-year relationship with a woman who does not have HIV/AIDS.

Protection, Bowers and Garland agree, is mandatory, not just because of AIDS, but also to protect yourself from more than two dozen sexually transmitted diseases. The two encouraged the audience to be involved by becoming educated, getting tested, volunteering with programs such as the Valley Aids Information Network and supporting legislation to find a cure for the disease.

To learn more about AIDS/HIV, visit Bowers’ website, www.hivictorious.org

By Alex Paul,
Albany Democrat-Herald.
 

 
 

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Da Pirates full sleeves tattoos photos page-Carpe Diem!

 
 

Da Pirate, my friend,

I can think of few who should be honored in such a way. You inspire SO many. Whether it's Camp Heartland, the ACT Rides, a rally in Texas, or an informational session in LA, you are amazing.  More than that, you are a beacon of hope that 20+ years is possible.  Keep up the good work.

Yours in fight,
David H

AIDS activists, youth HIV/AIDS educators and long-term AIDS survivors-Bob Bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

AIDS Activist Bob Bowers a.k.a. Da Pirate

 
 

Youth HIV/AIDS educator,  AIDS activist  & long-term survivor Bob Bowers, One Tough Pirate, also known simply as "Da Pirate." Bob been living with and surviving HIV/AIDS for 25 years. Bob started as an HIV positive speaker with peer education programs in Los Angeles shortly after his diagnosis. To broaden his personal message of prevention through education, hope and awareness of the disease, Bob founded the nonprofit educational organization, HIVictorious, Inc. in 2005. HIVictorious addresses youth HIV/AIDS education and prevention and provides AIDS awareness in Madison, Wisconsin and throughout the United States through Bob's public speaking and its AIDS awareness poster contest, "What if it Were You?" Mr. Bowers is a leading and well respected AIDS advocate and leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As a long-term survivor of HIV/AIDS, and someone who has lost dozen of friends to AIDS, Bob is wholeheartedly committed to educating today's youth and young adults about the realities of HIV/AIDS, as well as living with AIDS long-term. Mr. Bowers is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life.

Website last updated: 07/02/2009

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