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When Toi learned she was living with HIV in 2009, she was incarcerated at the time, so her circumstances meant she had to navigate her diagnosis and treatment journey largely without support.
She subsequently kept her status private for years, carrying the weight of stigma and uncertainty on her own. But she refused to let HIV define her.
During that time, Toi would tell herself, "You’re not what has happened to you. You’re not your diagnosis. There’s still life inside of you. There’s still life to live.”
For Toi, a Black woman of trans experience living in Georgia, her diagnosis ultimately became what she describes as the "chaos that birthed the order in [her] life." She knew this stigma all too well after experiencing the profound loss of her sister to HIV-related complications, but it further solidified her commitment to helping others find the support, care and sense of belonging that she did not have at the time of her own diagnosis.
Toi knows all too well how stigma can make it difficult for people living with HIV to seek care and live authentically, especially trans and gender-diverse people. According to AIDSVu, transgender people have long been subjected to pervasive stigma, discrimination and violence across multiple institutions and social contexts.
To create the services and spaces she felt were missing, Toi founded the Trans Women of Color Healing Project. The organization offers free self-care experiences to help participants focus on healing and improve their quality of life. Through her advocacy, Toi’s goal is to ensure anyone navigating these challenges knows they are seen, valued and embraced by a supportive community.
“I wanted to create something that was needed that didn’t exist prior,” she says.
Leading by example, she’s actively involved in her own HIV care. She has built a relationship with her physicians, learned about the services and interventions available to her, and advocates for what she wants. She hopes her experiences will help others feel empowered to do the same.
In addition, Toi’s advocacy extends to healthcare providers by encouraging doctors, nurses and other healthcare practitioners to provide person-centered care, respect each person’s identity and listen closely to what each individual needs.
Ultimately, Toi wants trans and gender-diverse people to recognize the possibility within themselves.
“You have everything inside of you it takes,” she says. “You’re fearfully and wonderfully made.”
For Toi, choosing herself is a daily decision – a commitment to living truthfully, pursuing her purpose and becoming the best version of herself.
“I choose me every day. I choose life.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Toi’s journey.