“I’m fighting for justice in a lot of different areas.”
Justice from the hit group rIVerse discusses how his life changed when he received a positive HIV diagnosis.
JUSTICE
I am an artist, but I’m also an activist, and I’m fighting for justice in a lot of different areas.
KARL
Hello there and welcome to Plus Talk on Plus Live where we’re all about turning positive into a plus. And boy oh boy, is my guest today doing just that. He is Justice, formally known as Dizzy from the group Reverse. Good to see you Justice.
JUSTICE
Good to see you, Karl.
KARL
You were Dizzy last time I spoke to you. What happened? Justice.
JUSTICE
The name Diz is a name that was giving to me by my family, a little nickname pulled from the Tiny Toons cartoon. I was a bit of a whirlwind, so I was compared to Dizzy Devil. As I was still trying to find myself, I wasn’t completely comfortable with who I was, but I was still pursuing my dreams as an artist. So, I associate Diz with an older version of me, one that was still didn’t quite love himself yet. Once Reverse kind of entered a certain stage of growth, I just kind of transformed into a different person. And funny enough, after my HIV diagnosis, I really did feel like there was a huge transformation that happened for me, and as I continued down that path, I realized that I was a different person. And so, I wanted to connect my artist name more to who I truly am. And my government name is Justin, and so I was like, what do I stand for, what do I represent? I am an artist but I’m also an activist, and I’m fighting for Justice in a lot of different areas. And so, the name just made sense.
KARL
I like that, and we’ll get to the activism in a minute, but you and I spoke not long after you publicly disclosed your HIV status, how has life been for you since you got that out of your system and no longer keep that secret?
JUSTICE
Just the ability to live completely authentically and it just became something that was necessary for me as a result of freeing myself from any bondage of shame or just hiding who I am. I’ve just been able to really become the type of artist and human being and activist that I’ve always envisioned myself being.
KARL
We often talk about how freeing has it been, and to put yourself back in the closet so-to-speak, the HIV closet, do you have advice for someone? We all come out at our own pace and our own time, but I think there’s some real beauty in just hearing how freeing but also how not terrifying it is once you’ve done it, right?
JUSTICE
To understand that no matter what challenges life throws at you, at your core, at our core as human beings, is nothing but beauty and magic and love. When we came into this world, we were brought into this world with love. I would encourage anybody to just do their best to connect with the core of who they are and that the things that kind of enter our lives do not dictate who you are. And so, do your best to connect with those around you who can remind you of who you are and dive into that. Dive into the truth, release anything that might be holding you back, and just remember that you’re a beautiful, magical soul, and really with that in mind, you can do anything.
KARL
Dive into life, says Justice. And I like that. And you mentioned at the top there your activism, and you and I were both recently in Montreal for World Aids 2022, which is the biggest gathering of not just the scientists and the doctors and the policymakers, but also people like you and I living with HIV, the activists. For you, what was the moment where you found your voice as an activist, because it’s one thing to be a performer with you are, and the great positivity that you guys do with Reverse, but it’s another thing entirely to really take on that roll as an activist. It is such a passion and a commitment that you have to have. What was that moment for you and then what was it like to be at something with 11,000 people who are all there to try and end HIV/AIDS?
JUSTICE
rIVerse produces a YouTube series called Reverse React. We’re entering our fifth season very soon. I think it was, not I think, I know it was when we started receiving tons of messages from people all around the world letting us know the impact of what we do and the words that we share. Every time that we’re on our show or every time we have a live where we connect with our fan base, I’m usually the one, and this is what they tell me, I share things that they take as inspiring quotes or messages of encouragement, and really just at the end of the day I’m just speaking the truth based on my experiences of empowerment and reminding people of who they are and the messages that I receive after and letting people know the impact of those words and how it’s affected their lives, I realize that the passion that I have for people and the messages that I share are really making an impact and people are stepping into their days thinking of the words that are shared. And I’m like, this is very powerful, and this is something that I’m gonna continue to do and use the platform that we have and use my words, shatter the glass ceiling and let people know what’s what.
KARL
I love that. And I often say, and people sort of look at me and scratch their head and go, huh, I often say that in many ways HIV saved my life. And we’re all about turning positive into a plus. Do you think HIV kind of has had a, having an HIV diagnosis has had a similar thing for you?
JUSTICE
Oh 100%, 150%. I always say it’s like this reoccurring line, I’m just like it’s funny and you might think I’m crazy but I would never, I wouldn’t change a thing with who I am, what my diagnosis has done for me, the growth that it has given me, just the opportunity to really reflect on who I am and my purpose and everything of that nature, it really did change me for the better. Initially getting my diagnosis, I was like, well, I felt like it was over for me, based on the things that we are taught, that we were taught. We are so blessed today for things, the advancements have been incredible, the story is different, the narrative is different, which I’m so grateful for. But definitely, the place that it has brought me is one that has really allowed me to step into the truth of who I am and it’s allowed me to access my power in ways that I never thought I could.
KARL
Well, we love the way you access that power, we love the way that you and Reverse are changing the narrative, not just about HIV, but about a lot of really really important topics. You guys are always such a pleasure to watch and listen to and Justice, I wish we had more time but we don’t, that’s all the time I’ve got to talk to you today but thank you so much and thank you for all the great work you do. And just looking at you as we’re talking through screens here, I can feel your positivity and I know that helps somebody sitting somewhere who thinks they’re worthless right now. So Justice from Reverse, thank you for your time.
JUSTICE
Thank you so much, Karl, it was a pleasure to be here.
KARL
Absolutely. Well, that’s gonna do it for this episode of Plus Talk. If you want more information about Plus Life, go to our website, pluslifemedia.com or follow us, please do, across social media platforms. We are @pluslivemedia. Until next time, stay safe, be nice to one another, we’ll see you soon.