The October/November 2015 issue of POZ magazine is online.

Here’s an excerpt from my editor’s letter:

Being a gay man in uniform back then was difficult enough, but being HIV positive made me want to leave. I’m not the only one. According to a report from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, about half of those service members diagnosed with HIV eventually leave. The report doesn’t shed light on why, but stigma and discrimination are my most likely suspects.

Despite great strides forward by the U.S. military--abolishing racial discrimination, advancing roles for women and ending “don’t ask, don’t tell”--only recently has improving the circumstances of those serving while HIV positive made the radar...

In honor of Veterans Day, click here to read about our cover gal, Heather Arculeo, a former Marine; Michael Subra, a current Coast Guard recruiter; Aaron Laxton, an Army veteran; and other service members, past and present, who are living with HIV.

To read my complete letter from the editor, click here.