HIV/AIDS LONG-TERM SURVIVOR * YOUTH EDUCATION * ADVOCACY * ACTIVISM * RESOURCES
Houston, Texas - United States
contact bob bowers aka one tough pirate
Official Bio: Bob Bowers, aka One Tough Pirate
Who is Bob Bowers, aka One Tough Pirate?
Bob Bowers is a 42-year survivor of HIV/AIDS, diagnosed in 1984. Known as One Tough Pirate, he’s a nationally recognized speaker, advocate, and founder of HIVictorious, Inc. His life has been dedicated to fighting stigma, educating youth, and turning survival into purpose.
He’s the subject of the award-winning documentary The Fire Within, has graced the covers of POZ and Positively Aware, and has spoken to thousands—from students to policymakers—with a message of hope, grit, and faith.
Bob doesn’t just survive—he speaks, teaches, fights, and lives out loud.
His upcoming memoir The True Tale of One Tough Pirate and the docuseries The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate continue that mission.
“This isn’t survival—it’s purpose. This is legacy.”
— Bob Bowers, One Tough Pirate
📬 Want to collaborate, interview, or book Bob to speak?
Use the email link below:
Exercise while living and thriving WITH HIV/AIDS
movement is good medicine!
work out for QUALITY, not quantity of life!
work out for QUALITY, not quantity of life!
Long-term HIV/AIDS survivor, Bob Bowers, exercising at the gym with dumbbells.
work out for QUALITY, not quantity of life!
work out for QUALITY, not quantity of life!
work out for QUALITY, not quantity of life!
Exercising while living with HIV/AIDS for the last 42-years has been such good medicine for my body, mind, and soul. Exercise doesn't guarantee quantity of life, but it certainly improves the quality of your life.
Move it or lose it!
Straight Men with HIV/AIDS Are Here
— And Always Have Been
HIV/AIDS doesn’t care who you are — it cares what you do.
While many still wrongly assume HIV only affects the LGBTQ+ community, the truth is that heterosexual men have always been a part of this fight. From the 1980s to today, straight men have been living with, advocating through, and surviving HIV. We’re not statistics. We’re fathers, husbands, veterans, teachers, athletes, and advocates. And we're not silent anymore.
Straight men living with HIV/AIDS are seen here.
"My personal ambition is to inspire and motivate everyone to be victorious in life's challenges. In this process I educate about the cause of HIV/AIDS, the consequences of having it, and how I have survived for 42 years."
THE PIRATE! I appreciate positive role models when it comes to being HIV+. The Pirate is a symbol of strength and rebellion, and these are the character traits necessary to live with HIV. Together, timbers will shiver for certain.
Douglas P.
#HIVandAging
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
Led by the AIDS Institute, National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD) is observed each year on September 18th.
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
"Long-Term Survivors are defined as having a HIV/AIDS diagnosis before 1996. They share those earliest and darkest years of the epidemic when there were no effective treatments. Effective treatments were available in 1995-96. Protease inhibitors transformed HIV infection from a “death sentence” to a more chronic but manageable condition."
SURVIVE!
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
"My personal ambition is to inspire and motivate everyone to be victorious in life's challenges. In this process I educate about the cause of HIV/AIDS, the consequences of having it, and how I have survived for 41 years."
~ Bob Bowers
keep growing!
LONG-TERM SURVIVOR
Bob, you were just the cutest thing when we were in grade school and have grown to be a handsome, very driven man. I applaud all that you do and wish you nothing but the best and may you continue to stay strong. Most people don't have near the drive or discipline, let alone energy that you appear to have. You are truly an amazing man. My hat is off to you my friend, you are truly an ANGEL and a gift to this earth and the life of everyone you come in contact with. Take care of yourself.
~ Sheila
ADVOCACY
STOP THE STIGMA!
Good Afternoon Bob,
I just spoke with Jake Glaser and he told me that you wanted me to email you. I only have a few minutes right now, but I will definitely email you again. I have checked out your website. IT is awesome!!!! I hope to create a website one of these days. Thank You for those kind words you said about me the other night to the reporter from The Capital Times. I am just started to do more and more. If I can help you out with anything, please let me know and I will do everything I can do to help you. I will let you know of things that come my way. I hope this finds you in good health. Take Care of yourself!! Continue to do that great work you do!
Best Wishes,
Ben Banks
ACTIVISM
STOP THE STIGMA!
STOP THE STIGMA!
Hi Bob,
Wow...your generous websites give people a pretty good idea of who you are. Thank you for sharing that with people. (my bro died of AIDS after refusing to go to doctors and then it was too late).
I am sorry for your struggle. I am happy for your brains. I am awed at your "person". I am glad you have spirituality and a sense of yourself. I hope you have all the love around you that you put out in the world. I wanted you to know that right at this moment there is someone thinking about everything you said. Good rides and good luck and good feelings to you in your life.
Elizabeth
STOP THE STIGMA!
STOP THE STIGMA!
STOP THE STIGMA!
Even today, secrecy still surrounds HIV/AIDS. Fortunately, Bob Bowers is a leading HIV/AIDS educator, ambassador and spokesperson. Through his speeches, Web sites and new documentary film about his life called The Fire Within, Bob is providing much needed leadership in the areas of HIV awareness and prevention. In addition, by living his life with great humor, integrity, strength and purpose, Bob has bridged the gap between diverse groups of individuals and in so doing, has lessened the stigma and discrimination that is so often associated with HIV/AIDS.
~ Neil Willenson
NO SHAME! NO SURRENDER!
Bob's life story
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
I lived this shit. For decades, I’ve spoken to youth, to crowds, to anyone who would listen—not because I wanted recognition, but because I had to. Because HIV/AIDS wasn’t just some distant crisis to me; it was my life. My reality. My battle.
~ Bob Bowers
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
I’m not just living with HIV—I survived the ‘80s.
Back when a diagnosis was a death sentence and hope was in short supply, I kept breathing, fighting, rising.
42 years later, I’m still here—proof that strength outlives stigma.
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
long-term hiv survivor Bob Bowers
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
My tattoos speak when I can’t.
They carry the names, the battles, the prayers, and the promises.
Each one marks a moment—of pain, purpose, faith, and fight.
They remind me where I’ve been, what I’ve lost, and who I refuse to become. This skin is my armor, my journal, my battle flag.
