I’m ashamed of all that’s happened to me.

I’m a guy in final year and was raped when I was 10. The two boys who did it were teenagers at the time and took advantage of my situation at home. I still cry about it. Both my parents were alcoholics and I had no one to look after me. Because my parents continue to drink I tried moving to my brother’s house in high school but he refused to take me in because I’m gay. I managed to nevertheless work hard at school and got into Wits.

I recently contracted HIV from an older man whom I slept with for money, he paid for my textbooks and accommodation. I don’t regret getting HIV, I knew it was a risk waiting to happen. I just regret having to grow up without proper parents and having to support myself through varsity. I hate my family. Why am I sharing this? Well I doubt I’ll ever be brave enough to to tell this to anyone face to face, I’m ashamed of all that’s happened to me. My biggest hope is to graduate and start working so that I can start supporting myself and hopefully fall in love with the right man. I want to start a new chapter in my life.