"I look fucking amazing and I've been living with HIV for 24 years" were the words of Rory O'Neill when he was hosting an HIV Ireland event called The Red Ball as his alter ego, Drag Queen Panti Bliss. Ms. Bliss a.k.a Mr. O'Neill continued his speech, which is embedded below this report, by talking about what it was like to be diagnosed with HIV in 1995 when it was a death sentence, the release of the first good anti-virus drug for treating HIV the next year, and what his life has been like since.
It is not clear from the internets if Mr. O'Neill knows how he got HIV or from whom. That is typical of gay men that came of age during that time period. He is currently married to Anderson Cabrera. The media does not appear to have reported whether or not Cabrera has HIV also. It is hard for this author to imagine how a married couple of any sexual orientation could both keep the other disease free and maintain a good sexual relationship over time.
People often refer to Mr. O'Neill as "The Queen of Ireland" due to him being the country's most famous drag queen. A documentary by that name was recently released. He has done some work in television and radio, but is best known for drag theater. He owns a pub in Dublin called PantiBar.
Mr. O'Neill is a leading figure in Ireland's gay rights movement and spearheaded the push to legalize gay marriage. His wedding to Anderson Cabrera was celebrated by gays nation wide as a symbol of progress.