Although HIV (or AIDS) does not represent a “death sentence” as it once did, it still has a stigma around it in our modern day and age. The most important thing we can do is to talk about this disease, as that action will raise the aura of taboo from it. When it comes to those who suffer from HIV, celebs are not an exception, as they are only human just like the rest of us. These 10 HIV positive celebrities came out with their disease and talked about it to raise awareness.

1. Rock Hudson

The world was in a complete state of shock back in the 1980s, when the incredibly popular Hollywood actor Rock Hudson revealed that he had been suffering from HIV.

Not only was the act unusual, it was the first of its kind, as Hudson was officially the first major celeb that revealed his sickness.

The actor told the public that he had AIDS after an incident in France, when he collapsed. Hudson was in France, in fact, due to his sickness – he was seeking treatment.

However, the plan failed and the popular movie actor died a few months later, on October 2nd, 1985. Hudson’s revelation was even more dramatic when you consider the times he lived in and the fact that he was a closeted gay man.