Navigating Stigma with Presence
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Hear from the SPFPP Community
Presence is powerful—and these stories are proof.
At Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), we’ve always believed that healing begins when people feel seen. These testimonials come from individuals who’ve navigated herpes stigma, identity challenges, emotional overwhelm, and more—supported by our yoga therapy sessions, 1-on-1 calls, workshops, and community spaces.
Why These Stories Matter
Each voice here reflects what becomes possible when stigma is replaced with presence. Whether someone found clarity through a support call, felt safety in a yoga class, or reconnected with themselves through community, these experiences remind us what compassion and witness can create.
Real People. Real Shifts.
You’ll find reflections from people who’ve shared their stories, reclaimed their identities, and reminded themselves—and us—that they’re not alone. We share these words to honor their journey and invite you into yours.
“This was the first space I felt safe being fully myself.”
“After one session, I felt seen in a way I didn’t know I needed.”
“SPFPP gave me language, tools, and the courage to stop hiding.”
These stories are shared anonymously or with permission. If you’d like to add your voice to this page, reach out—we’d be honored to hold your truth.
ABOUT COURTNEY
Conversations with Courtney always leave me feeling validated, seen, and accepted, even though we’ve never even met in person. He makes you feel met where you are in every situation — every time.
I was in an extremely dark place when it came to accepting my status. Courtney offered me perspective and a shoulder to cry on. He was extremely supportive and without him I don’t think I would be in the place I am today in terms of accepting my status and being able to effectively communicate it to others. We spoke on the phone for a while, and then kept in touch via text and Instagram. I am forever grateful that I found him and SPFPP.
I reached out to Courtney on Instagram after seeing him featured on other YouTube videos and Instagram posts. He was super responsive to my initial questions, thorough in his replies, and his advice really helped normalize what is such an isolating experience of a herpes diagnosis. It was mentally super helpful to hear an honest perspective from another man who is confidently living and dating with this virus.
For just being some stranger on the internet, Courtney always makes time to make people feel important and cared for. I appreciate every question and piece of advice he’s taken the time to share with me, not just personally, but publicly on his platform. He’s clearly a selfless individual fighting the good fight!
Courtney is always positive and honest. The resources he provides helped me learn, navigate, and find community after my diagnosis in 2020. I was most impressed at how he was willing to take time to answer questions, or just give an uplifting message.
Courtney inspires confidence, while simultaneously empathizing and validating your concerns and fears, and minimizing the hold herpes stigma can create. He also helped connect me with community, therapy, and give me hope.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
ABOUT SPFPP
I gained so much from the herpes discussion workshop. I loved that it included the sharing of personal experiences which made me feel much less isolated in my own experience. Even though I was attending virtually, the environment that Courtney created for us felt so welcoming and inclusive. I also loved the guidance given on when to disclose and resources like the STARS method that was shared out. I feel like I have the ability to have these conversations more confidently now because of this workshop.
I felt more accepting to myself and my status, like it wasn’t as big of a burden as I had thought. That just because I do have a positive status I’m still worthy and deserving of love. And my status does not define me in any way. I felt and still feel empowered and that my status doesn’t hold me back at all!
Since reaching out to SPFPP I feel supported, empowered, and excited! I'm no longer scared of my diagnosis, and my identity validation is almost constant. I am more confident in myself and others in a sex positive space.
SPFPP significantly increased my confidence in myself. This community normalizes the diagnosis, empowering you to unlearn STI stigma and navigate relationships with intention and increased sense of worth. Stigma is so deeply ingrained, I don’t know that I’ll ever be done unlearning it. But I’m so much closer to that than I was before SPFPP.
After I reached out I had a clear plan as to what my next steps needed to be as far as healing, my health, and getting support and therapy. I can definitely say I was lucky enough to be provided resources and full support from SPFPP, which really helped me feel a lot better as time had went on. Emotionally, I was able to control myself more because I realized I needed to move forward as I could not change the past.