Josh Robbins

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Josh Robbins
Born (1983-01-12) January 12, 1983 (age 41)
Jackson, Tennessee, US
Alma materMiddle Tennessee State University
Occupation(s)HIV/AIDS activist, blogger, social media marketer, talent agent
Websiteimstilljosh.com

Joshua W. Robbins[1] (born January 12, 1983[2] in Jackson, Tennessee)[2][3][4] is an American HIV/AIDS activist,[5] blogger,[5] talent agent,[6][7] writer, and social media marketer.[5] His work has been featured on The Advocate, Human Rights Campaign, POZ and a myriad of additional publications. Robbins was named to the POZ 100 List in 2013.[5]

Advocacy

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Before his HIV diagnosis, Robbins was raising awareness about HIV in the LGBT community and fundraising for the AIDS service organization Nashville CARES.[5] He was also a volunteer for the HVTN 505 clinical vaccine trial.[5][8] He has been described as "one of a growing legion of bloggers who are breathing life into HIV activism".[7]

Robbins published a video on YouTube of being told of his HIV diagnosis in January 2012,[8][9] after revealing his HIV status on Facebook.[10] Robbins also hosts the weekly digital series, HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins, and created the "Ask HIV" iPhone app.[11]

In 2018, Robbins was named the national spokesperson for DatingPositives.[12][13][14]

Social media

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Robbins uses digital and social media to advocate for HIV education to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.[15] In 2014, Robbins introduced the "HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins" digital video series, licensed to HIV+ magazine.[6][16]

Blogger and author

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In 2012, Robbins launched his blog focusing on encouraging those living with HIV/AIDS, described as a combination of "fact-based reportage and highly personal social blogging — in a way that [is] both insightful and utterly engaging".[7] In 2014, Robbins self-published: HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook[17] He also published Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist.[18]

In 2014, Robbins created an iPhone application called Ask HIV,[11] described by Product Hunt as a "HIV/AIDS hotline on your iPhone".[19]

In 2018, Robbins received the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association "Excellence in Journalism" Award for blogging.[20]

Entrepreneur

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Robbins is a veteran talent agent, owning and operating BNA Talent Group with niche divisions for actors, hosts and children[21][22][23] and a division managing brands called The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group.[22][24] His clients have appeared in studio feature films and on television.[6][25][26][27] He also works with companies interested in casting models and actors aimed at LGBT consumers.[23] As a business professional, Robbins is vocal for LGBT issues in the workplace.[28]

Personal life

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Robbins identifies as an out gay man[29] and is open about his HIV-positive status.[8][15][29][30] He supports HIV/AIDS organizations including Nashville CARES[31][32] and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. He was diagnosed with HIV during his participation in the HVTN 505 clinical trial[8][33] though he explained that his infection was not a result of the vaccine.[34] Robbins has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, advertising and marketing from Middle Tennessee State University[1] and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.[2][15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Josh Robbins". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Josh Robbins". WhoSay. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 3)". This Positive Life. TheBody.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  4. ^ "Holiday memories: Josh Robbins". Out & About Nashville. December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "The POZ 100: P–R". POZ. December 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Josh Robbins at IMDb
  7. ^ a b c "People to Watch: Josh Robbins @imstilljosh.com". About Health. October 29, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "About I'm Still Josh". I'm Still Josh. May 25, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  9. ^ I'm HIV Positive I just found out I'm HIV + ... now what? I'm still Josh on YouTube. Recorded January 24, 2012; uploaded February 28, 2012; accessed December 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 2)". This Positive Life. TheBody.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Ask HIV". iTunes Store. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  12. ^ "Dating while you have an STD". CNN. October 30, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ DatingPositives. "Social Discovery Ventures Launches Dating Platform For All STI-Positive People". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  14. ^ "DatingPositives.com – A Popular Global Online Dating Site for Eligible Singles Worldwide". www.datingpositives.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c "HIV hot-spots a stark reminder of deadly disease". Good Morning America. ABC News. November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  16. ^ "HIV Video Minute". HIV+. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  17. ^ Josh Robbins (February 25, 2014). HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook. imstilljosh.com. ASIN B00INKSP4W. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  18. ^ Josh Robbins (October 29, 2014). Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist. imstilljosh.com. ASIN B00P0EYMIW. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  19. ^ "Ask HIV". Product Hunt. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  20. ^ "NLGJA Announces 2018 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients - NLGJA". Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  21. ^ "Nichols performs for Dalai Lama & BNA Talent Group opens". MusicRow. September 15, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  22. ^ a b "About Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group". BNA Talent Group. November 19, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Businesses step up efforts to attract LGBT customers". WBIR-TV. June 9, 2013. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  24. ^ "Our team". The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group. November 9, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  25. ^ "BNA Talent signs Lopez and Tallant". MusicRow. January 14, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  26. ^ "Country musician Josey Greenwell rebranded, 'straightwashed' for heterosexual audience". Towleroad. August 20, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  27. ^ "Is Terry Gilliam currently in production on something called The Legend of Talladega?". Bleeding Cool. September 19, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  28. ^ "CMT 'open for Business' panel addresses LGBT issues, future of the workplace". Viacom. July 10, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  29. ^ a b "Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 1)". This Positive Life. TheBody.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  30. ^ "Josh Robbins comes OUT". Out & About Nashville. March 5, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  31. ^ "Annual Report 2012–2013" (PDF). Nashville CARES. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  32. ^ "Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 4)". This Positive Life. TheBody.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  33. ^ "Latest HIV vaccine doesn't work; govt halts study". The Big Story. Associated Press. April 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  34. ^ "National HIV vaccine trial, HVTN 505, immunizations stopped". Out & About Nashville. April 29, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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