In a project titled “I Have Something To Tell You,” Florida photographer Adrain Chesser used his craft to overcome the feared moment that he had to inform the people who love him that he has AIDS. He told Huffington Post:
?When I thought about having to disclose my illness to my friends I would panic, which didn’t make sense, because I have an amazing group of friends who are all very loving and supportive.?I realized that these intense emotions where actually based in my childhood fear of abandonment. Growing up gay in a small town in a very religious family, the fear of being found out and cast out was always present and right under the surface. It occurred to me that if I ritualized the act of telling, that it might be possible to transform these childhood fears that were still effecting me as an adult.?
Adraid told 46 people of his AIDS diagnosis. The reactions varied.
?When I started working with the negatives, I could see in the contact sheets where there would be a moment when it would be to [sic] much for the sitter. But? no one asked me to stop and no one got up and left. My friends were very brave and willing to have this very intense experience with me. In the end, I was able to see that there was no real abandonment in my life, so I was able to heal this deep wound from my childhood. I am deeply grateful to everyone who was apart of this project.?
Chesser says that in spite of his AIDS diagnosis, he?feels?healthier than he’s ever been and he credits that to his emotional state.
“It’s weird, I am healthier now than I have ever been in my life. Of course it’s not all due to my emotional state but it is a huge part of it.”
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Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
