Hydeia Broadbent

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hydeia Broadbent
Born
Hydeia Loren Broadbent

(1984-06-14)June 14, 1984
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
DiedFebruary 20, 2024(2024-02-20) (aged 39)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Known forHIV/AIDS activism

Hydeia Loren Broadbent (June 14, 1984 – February 20, 2024) was an American HIV/AIDS activist, advocating through her numerous appearances in national media and as a spokesperson for notable foundations.

Born with HIV, Broadbent began taking part in trials for treatment of HIV at the age of three.[1] Living with HIV her entire life, she began making appearances to raise awareness of it as a child, notably at the 1996 Republican National Convention.[2] She described the disease as "a life sentence...you'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor and fighting for insurance forever."[1]

Early life and education[edit]

Broadbent was born with undiagnosed HIV in Las Vegas on June 14, 1984.[3][2][4] She was initially taken in as a foster child by Loren and Patricia Broadbent who later adopted her. In 1987, the Broadbents learned that Hydeia was HIV positive.[2]

Not much has been known about Hydeia's parentage as her birth mother abandoned her at a Las Vegas hospital. Three years later, Hydeia's birth mother gave birth at the same hospital to another child and left him there as well. As HIV testing was required at the time, both mother and child were tested, and the results were positive for HIV. The hospital informed the Broadbents and they had Hydeia tested for HIV shortly afterwards. Her results were also positive for HIV.[5]

Her adoptive mother signed her up for a research trial to hopefully find a treatment that would work for Hydeia. Growing up, Hydeia regularly had blood infections, pneumonia, and fungal infections in her brain.[1][6] It was predicted that she would not survive childhood, and would die at the age of five.[2] Despite all predictions, she survived. However, when she was five, she developed AIDS.[6][7][8]

She began attending school in seventh grade and attended Odyssey High School in Las Vegas from home using a computer.[9][3]

Life and activism[edit]

Broadbent began her activism at age six, by speaking about living with HIV/AIDS. She initially got involved with speaking on the subject through Elizabeth Glaser, the late creator of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The two met while Hydeia was undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health. Glaser asked Hydeia's mother to let Hydeia speak publicly about having HIV/AIDS, and she acquiesced.[2][8]

Broadbent went on to speak at many events, including AIDS benefit concerts, documentaries, college campus education events, and talk shows. In 1992, Broadbent appeared on a Nickelodeon special along with Magic Johnson.[7] Two years after the special, she established the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation and received a Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine. She appeared in Essence, and on The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America, and at the 1996 Republican National Convention.[2][10] At the Republican National Convention, she famously stated "I am the future, and I have AIDS."[2][8]

In 1996, Broadbent appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.[10] She later appeared on Oprah's Where Are They Now, as she was one of the most-requested guests to be revisited.[10] In 2002, her family published a book titled You Get Past The Tears.[11] The family also appeared on an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in 2004.[12]

In 2012, Broadbent became an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.[13][14] In 2014, Broadbent was a spokesperson on behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation and other AIDS activist organizations in order to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.[7] She was involved in screening drives, along with actress and friend Jurnee Smollett.[15] Broadbent traveled extensively both nationally and internationally to speak to others.[4]

Broadbent took three antiretroviral pills a day, and the majority of her medical payments were self-paid.[1] According to Hydeia, "HIV is not a death sentence, but it's a life sentence...[y]ou'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor and fighting for insurance forever."[1] She had hoped that by sharing her story, things would begin to change.[1]

Death and legacy[edit]

Broadbent died in Las Vegas on February 20, 2024, at the age of 39.[3][16] In tribute after her death, Magic Johnson posted a video clip online from a 1992 interview, where both he and Broadbent spoke, with Broadbent, age 7, saying "I want people to know that we're just normal people," and according to The New York Times, "her face crumpling as she fought through tears", and Johnson telling her, "We are normal people."[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Moisse, Katie. "Hydeia Brodbent, Born With HIV, Reacts to 'Cure'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Drash, Wayne (18 May 2012). "The girl who changed Magic Johnson". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Mayorquin, Orlando (22 February 2024). "Hydeia Broadbent, H.I.V. and AIDS Activist, Dies at 39". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Nave, R.L. "Hydeia Broadbent". Jackson Free Press. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  5. ^ Friess, Steve (August 1, 2011). "After the curtain: Behind the scenes of an AIDS activist's life". Desert Companion – Nevada Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Hydeia Broadbent, 'Oprah Show' Guest With AIDS, Shares What Life Is Like 18 Years After Her Appearance". The Huffington Post. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Brydum, Sunnivie (21 January 2014). "WATCH: Young and Poz Hydeia Broadbent Talk to Oprah". HIV Plus Mag. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Friess, Steve (October 1997). "She's Come A Long Way From Baby". Poz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Odyssey Charter School". Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  10. ^ a b c Jackson, Charreah. "ESSENCE Network: AIDS Activist Hydeia Broadbent on Life, Love and the end of HIV". Essence. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  11. ^ Broadbent, Patricia; Romanowski, Patricia; Broadbent, Hydeia (2002-04-09). You Get Past the Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival. Villard. ISBN 978-0-679-46314-6.
  12. ^ "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: Season 2, Episode 11". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  13. ^ Famous Black Sorority Members – Hydeia Broadbent Archived 2024-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated: History & Achievements". Clutch Points. 12 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  15. ^ Morris, Alex (15 July 2016). "Our Friendship—and Our Fight For Change". Glamour. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  16. ^ Fluker, Dominique (2024-02-21). "Hydeia Broadbent, A Groundbreaking AIDS Activist, Has Passed Away At 39". Essence. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hydeia_Broadbent&oldid=1210599179"