From a very young age, I realized that I was different, and as I grew up, I struggled to understand who I truly was. My difference stemmed from being a Black child born in Portugal with African origins. At 21, my first trip to Cape Verde was pivotal in helping me understand my identity, as it gave me the opportunity to embrace my roots and embark on a journey of self-discovery. I never anticipated that later in life, I would face a similar struggle with identity after receiving my HIV diagnosis and experiencing stigma and discrimination.

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