We remember Hydeia Broadbent today, a wonderful survivor, educator, and advocate in the battle against HIV/AIDS. On February 20, she peacefully passed away from natural causes while sleeping. After her father Loren Broadbent’s heartbreaking Facebook post, several friends and other campaigners, including Rae-Lewis Thorton, confirmed the news and expressed their condolences.
At the young age of 12, Broadbent began advocating against HIV/AIDS. Her representation of Black people impacted by AIDS led her to prominence; she made appearances on well-known TV programs such as “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Maury Povich Show,” and “Good Morning America.” She became a well-known national advocate due to her early dedication to spreading awareness.
Soon after her birth in 1984, Broadbent was abandoned at a Las Vegas hospital. Because she was born with HIV and had a crack addiction, the doctors believed she wouldn’t live past the age of five. Fortunately, Loren and Patricia Broadbent adopted her at the age of six weeks. Even though she had HIV from birth, they didn’t find out she had it until she was three years old, by which point it had developed into AIDS.
Despite her situation, Broadbent overcame it to leave a lasting legacy and use her story to inspire and educate millions of people.
In 2014, Broadbent advocated for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, safe sex practices (for those who choose to engage in it), abstinence, and other AIDS-related causes on behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation and other AIDS activist groups.
Hydeia Broadbent said,
My life’s mission is accomplished in two ways: first, by using my experiences to help individuals who are HIV-negative make decisions to remain HIV-negative, and second, by providing hope and inspiration to those who are living with HIV/AIDS so they can continue to live their best lives without being stopped by the disease.
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