HIV/AIDS LONG-TERM SURVIVOR * YOUTH EDUCATION * ADVOCACY * ACTIVISM * RESOURCES
Houston, Texas, United States
About Bob Bowers aka One Tough Pirate
A PIRATE'S LIFE... Never surrender! never forget!
Bob Bowers, also known as “Da Pirate,” or “One Tough Pirate,” is a 41-year thriving survivor of HIV/AIDS living in Houston, Texas.
To broaden his message of survival, youth prevention through education, hope and compassion, he founded HIVictorious, Inc. ® in 2005.
As an HIV positive speaker, Bob knows first-hand the importance of putting a face to the disease in hopes of reducing AIDS stigma. He is far from the ‘stereotypical’ image of a person with AIDS, thus having a profound and lasting impact on his audiences.
He is generously outspoken about his life struggles and personal choices prior to the time of his infection. Through his public speaking, he shares how HIV disease has helped him to make better choices and to appreciate the very simple beauty of day-to-day life. “For everything negative I can say about HIV, I can also find something positive to say. It’s all about choices and playing the hand you are dealt.”
Contracting HIV nearly four decades ago, before HIV testing was available, and shortly after receiving his ‘official’ diagnosis before anti-viral medications were available, Bob’s hope for survival turned immediately inward to mind, body and spirit. He continues to fight the daily battles of adverse drug reactions through his intense desire to live. His tough muscular and tattooed appearance is softened by his inner sincerity and compassion while sharing his 41-year experience with this devastating disease.
Mr. Bowers is truly dedicated to making a lasting difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as other social issues. He is a powerful and motivating public speaker that reaches out to a large array of diverse audiences. He is a tireless and passionate advocate helping to shape HIV/AIDS policy. He is also active in fund-raising events, camps for youth affected or infected by HIV, guest-speaking engagements, and youth prevention education in schools, colleges, jails and community organizations. He has been interviewed and featured through Film, Television, Radio, Magazine and Newspapers, and has written articles featured in Web-MD, The Body, and AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Positive Living. The feature length AIDS documentary, “The Fire Within”, follows his life with Shawn Bowers during 1999 and is a moving story of courage, passion for life and the healing use of choice.
Some of Bob’s awards are: FWA Winner of Best Speaking Panel-Human Sexuality, San Diego State University; AIDS Network Client Services Volunteer Award and AIDS Network Executive Director’s Award for Outstanding Community HIV/AIDS Service, Madison, Wisconsin. Bob had the honor of being a General with POZ Army in the fight to cure HIV.
His voice, passion, and commitment continues through OTP Productions, Inc.! You can view One Tough Pirate on the cover of POZ Magazine He was also featured on the cover of Positively Aware. You can view more of his story and outreach by searching “Bob Bowers HIV AIDS” using Google’s search.
Bob is living proof that there is nothing impossible in this world if you apply yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. He is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life. Mr. Bowers states, “Compassion is our cure ®.”
“Blessings”
“Bob Bowers is a passionate activist and educator. As someone who has lived with AIDS for over 40 years, Bob is not just a survivor. He works passionately to fight complacency and improve the lives of those around him. His commitment to teaching young people about the importance of healthy choices in their lives, and his advocacy of quality health-care for those living with AIDS, are just two examples of his numerous good works.”
United States Senator Tammy Baldwin
“If there was such a thing as a force of destiny in our lives, I would say that Bob Bowers was born for this role; no one has carried this difficult mantle with more dignity, conviction, purpose, and compassion.”
Madeleine Schwab – Crossroads High School – Santa Monica, California
If you’d like to contact Bob, aka One Tough Pirate, you can use the below links to social networks.
Bob Bowers on X formerly known as Twitter
HIV/AIDS Documentary, “The Fire Within”
“Some legal jargon'”
God is good!
Bob Bowers - Houston, texas
NEW ONE TOUGH PIRATE WEBSITE LOGO
New OTP Logo
Jul 31, 2024
After 24 years, I've decided to change the logo for One Tough Pirate dot com. I think the new design better reflects my faith and personality. At 61 years old now, I draw on my faith more than ever before. This may not be the absolute final choice, but it's growing on me.
Compassion is Our Cure®
Bob Bowers
NEVER SURRENDER! NEVER FORGET!
Long-term survivorship
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 50% of people with HIV are older than 50 years and account for 70% of total deaths among people with HIV.”
—The Lancet HIV in a series on Ageing with HIV on February 2
"When I was diagnosed, we didn't even have AZT. With the miracles I've witnessed after two decades of survival, nothing is impossible. I'm turning 43 in May, and it's surreal to be able to say, I'm still here."
~ Bob Bowers long-term survivor diagnosed 1984
One Tough Pirate on the cover of POZ Magazine
How did you get involved with public speaking?
"When I was diagnosed, I was living with my girlfriend, and we were both using IV drugs. I didn’t get a ton of support right away from my friends and family, so I went to the AIDS Project Los Angeles. I was one of their first clients. Someone there recommended that I go speak at a high school. It was weird standing on a stage and saying I have AIDS. But the students gave such a warm response to something that was supposedly so shameful. I realized sharing my story was empowering, so I kept doing it."
long term survivor Bob Bowers POZ Magazine HIV AIDS survivors educator advocate activist Houston TX
long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS
What defines a long-term survivor:
HIV Long-Term Survivors (HLTS) represent a diverse group of people, including:
People diagnosed with HIV before the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART in 1996. They make up about 25% of all people living with HIV and AIDS. 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S. That makes about 300,000 long-term survivors, defined as individuals who acquired HIV before 1996 and the introduction of HAART.
People who have been living with HIV for over 10 years are also part of this group.
People who acquired HIV at birth or as young children, also known as lifetime survivors of HIV or Dandelions.
10 sexiest straight men living with hiv
2014
Bowers outreach educates, raises awareness, fights stigma, and perhaps most importantly, invokes compassion, hope, and affirmative change on our planet.
Infected in 1983 from a one-time decision to share a needle, Bob is one of the first 14,000 Americans infected with HIV. He has lived throughout the whole history of the AIDS pandemic, experienced many ups and downs in his health, and lost so many friends you wonder how his heart can bear it.
Bob Bowers long-term HIV/AIDS survivor.
end the stigma!
What is HIV stigma?
HIV stigma is negative attitudes and beliefs about people with HIV. It is the prejudice that comes with labeling an individual as part of a group that is believed to be socially unacceptable.
You might be wondering how you can address an issue as complex as HIV stigma. But there are many small things you can do that will make a big difference.
If each of us commits to making positive changes in our families and communities, we can help end HIV stigma and work to stop HIV together.
Knowledge is power!
Some helpful HIV/AIDS resources
NO SHAME! NO SURRENDER!
News About Bob
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
"Bob Bowers talks about HIV prevention and education the way that most people talk about their family or their pets, or even their favorite hobby—with a great deal of passion, mixed with just the right amount of sentiment."
~ Jeff Berry Positively Aware Magazine
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
Dear Bob Bowers,
Thank you for coming to my school. I thought that you were an excellent speaker with a lot to say. Something that surprised me about you was your carefree attitude about life and your philosophy about living life to its fullest! I thought it was great and would appreciate it if you would come back to speak with us.
~ Chris W.
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
Photos of Bob Bowers
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
I just want to let you know i think what you're doing is amazing. My father has HIV from the mid 80's but my Uncle (his brother) died in '90. Unfortunately they shared a needle. And my aunt, my uncles wife, is surviving it too. I think you have an amazing attitude and that helps a lot.
..::*~Jess~*::..
