“In 2017, I was diagnosed with the herpes viruses after contact with an older male who I met after a 7 year relationship ended. I soon found myself trying to escape from him as he lied to me, blackmailed me with revenge porn using a hidden camera, abused me, created an online smear campaign against me using my std status to try and shame to suicide, and stalked me for about 2 years leaving me to have to go to police where charges were filed against him. I have had to be open about my status to the courts and I have had to testify about what he put me through. It is something I am still dealing with. Herpes cannot define me. I am a survivor and have lived through a nightmare. I am proud of my fight. Dear Brave Girl, you are you and no diagnosis changes that.”