Hydeia Broadbent, a renowned HIV/AIDS activist who inspired millions with her courage and compassion, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, due to organ failure. She was 39 years old.
Broadbent was born with HIV in 1984 and was abandoned at a hospital in Las Vegas, where she was later adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent. She was diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 3 and was not expected to live past 53.
However, Broadbent defied the odds and became a vocal advocate for HIV/AIDS education and prevention from a young age. She appeared on numerous TV shows, such as Oprah, 20/20, and Good Morning America, where she shared her story and challenged the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.
She also spoke at the 1996 Republican National Convention, where she recited a poem that declared: "I am the future, and I have AIDS. I can do anything I put my mind to. I am the next doctor. I am the next lawyer. I am the next Maya Angelou. I might even be the first woman president. … You can’t crush my dream. I am the future, and I have AIDS."
Broadbent dedicated her life to raising awareness and creating dialogue around HIV/AIDS in various communities, especially among young people and people of color. She advocated for abstinence, safe sex practices, and access to treatment and care for those living with the virus.
She also collaborated with celebrities and organizations, such as Magic Johnson, Essence Magazine, and the Black AIDS Institute, to spread her message of hope and positivity.
Broadbent’s legacy and impact have been widely recognized and celebrated by many, including Johnson, who wrote on X: "Hydeia changed the world with her bravery, speaking about how living with HIV affected her life since birth. … Thanks to Hydeia, millions were educated, stigmas were broken, and attitudes about HIV/AIDs were changed. We will miss her powerful voice in this world."
Broadbent is survived by her parents, her sister, and her brother. A GoFundMe page has been set up by her father to help with the funeral expenses and to honor her memory.
