january 22 1988, 23 years ago today, was a very dark day in my family. in fact, what happened that day would be the catalyst for an estrangement from my parents that would land my sister and i in new york city 6 months later, while mom & dad remained together in north carolina. i will never forget that friday afternoon/evening; it was a pivotal moment in my adolescence that led to a sexual compulsion that resulted in my contracting hiv just 2 months later.

on january 22 1988, i was 15…