Josh Robbins

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, Healthline, POZ and a myriad of additional publications. Robbins was named to the POZ 100 List in 2013.[5]

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

Advocacy

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

Robbins uses digital and social media to advocate for HIV education to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.[15][16] He creates video content for online distribution and was recognized on the "Best HIV Videos of 2013" list by Healthline noting his use of "artistic features such as wide letter boxing, captions, and double speed filming".[17] In 2014, Robbins introduced the "HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins" digital video series, licensed to HIV+ magazine.[6][18]

Blogger and author

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]

Robbins is a published writer for health-related websites, including the "Healthline HIV Influencer Honors" for 2013[19] and 2014[20] and the 2014 "HIV Top Voices" list for TrialReach.[21] In 2014, Robbins self-published: HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook[22] He also published Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist.[23]

In 2014, Robbins created an iPhone application called Ask HIV,[11] described by Product Hunt as "an HIV/AIDS hotline on your iPhone".[24]

In 2018, Robbins received the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association “Excellence in Journalism” Award for blogging.[25]

Entrepreneur

Robbins is a veteran talent agent, owning and operating BNA Talent Group with niche divisions for actors, hosts and children[26][27][28] and a division managing brands called The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group.[27][29] His clients have appeared in studio feature films and on television.[6][30][31][32] He also works with companies interested in casting models and actors aimed at LGBT consumers.[28] As a business professional, Robbins is vocal for LGBT issues in the workplace.[33]

Personal life

Robbins identifies as an out gay man[34] and is open about his HIV-positive status.[8][15][34][35] He supports HIV/AIDS organizations including Nashville CARES[36][37] and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. He was diagnosed with HIV during his participation in the HVTN 505 clinical trial[8][38] though he explained that his infection was not a result of the vaccine.[39] 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
  1. "Josh Robbins". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  2. "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. "The POZ 100: P–R". POZ. December 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  6. Josh Robbins at IMDb
  7. "People to Watch: Josh Robbins @imstilljosh.com". About Health. October 29, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  8. "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. "Ask HIV". iTunes Store. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  12. "Dating while you have an STD". CNN. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. DatingPositives. "Social Discovery Ventures Launches Dating Platform For All STI-Positive People". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  14. "DatingPositives.com – A Popular Global Online Dating Site for Eligible Singles Worldwide". www.datingpositives.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  15. "HIV hot-spots a stark reminder of deadly disease". Good Morning America. ABC News. November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  16. "Life with HIV: The Angry Activist Tells All". Healthline. November 26, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  17. "11 Best HIV Videos of 2013". Healthline. November 20, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  18. "HIV Video Minute". HIV+. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  19. "HIV Influencers Honors". Healthline. November 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  20. "HIV Influencers Honors — The Top 11 Influential Voices in HIV/AIDS for 2014". Healthline. December 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  21. "Top HIV Voices 2014". TrialReach. May 1, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  22. Josh Robbins (February 25, 2014). HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook. imstilljosh.com. ASIN B00INKSP4W. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  23. 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.
  24. "Ask HIV". Product Hunt. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  25. "NLGJA Announces 2018 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients - NLGJA". Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  26. "Nichols performs for Dalai Lama & BNA Talent Group opens". MusicRow. September 15, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  27. "About Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group". BNA Talent Group. November 19, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  28. "Businesses step up efforts to attract LGBT customers". WBIR-TV. June 9, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  29. "Our team". The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group. November 9, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  30. "BNA Talent signs Lopez and Tallant". MusicRow. January 14, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  31. "Country musician Josey Greenwell rebranded, 'straightwashed' for heterosexual audience". Towleroad. August 20, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  32. "Is Terry Gilliam currently in production on something called The Legend of Talladega?". Bleeding Cool. September 19, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  33. "CMT 'open for Business' panel addresses LGBT issues, future of the workplace". Viacom. July 10, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  34. "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.
  35. "Josh Robbins comes OUT". Out & About Nashville. March 5, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  36. "Annual Report 2012–2013" (PDF). Nashville CARES. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  37. "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.
  38. "Latest HIV vaccine doesn't work; govt halts study". The Big Story. Associated Press. April 25, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  39. "National HIV vaccine trial, HVTN 505, immunizations stopped". Out & About Nashville. April 29, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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