Former gay Olympian Ji Wallace confirms he has HIV

Australian Ji Wallace, a Silver medal trampolinist from the 2000 Olympic Games announced this week that he has contracted HIV.

Inspired by American Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who came out as gay and announced he had HIV in 1995 during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Wallace wrote to the Sydney Star Observer saying, ‘I felt inspired to write. I too am an Olympic medal winner living with HIV.’

‘I have never publicly disclosed this before but felt inspired by [the] interview… and by Anderson Cooper’s ‘coming out’ letter last month describing the ‘value in being seen and heard’ in the face of disturbing violence, bullying, persecution and condemnation by peers, colleagues, government officials and worst of all family and friends.’

Wallace, who is 35 years-old, came out in 2005, and was the first Australian to be named a Gay Games Ambassador.

Ji Wallace talks to Gaydar radio about coming out, being a Gay Games Ambassador and his involvement with Pride House (below).

http://youtu.be/r1jhkUelXVQ