Prominent AIDS activist and co-founder of Hivster.com Brad Crelia passed on away November 19, 2014 after a long battle with porphyria and other HIV related health issues. Brad was 29 years old.
Six months after learning he was HIV positive, Crelia launched Hivster.com in 2010. The website ceased operations earlier this year, but their Facebook page continued.
Hivster.com describes itself on Facebook as “an online magazine for forward-thinking, hip/alternative men and women who are sex-positive, gritty, boundary pushing and politically progressive.” A print magazine was planned.
Crelia also worked with the Spokane AIDS Network and served on the board of the Odyssey Youth Center. He was active in politics, most recently working as a policy advisor for the Spokane City Council marijuana policy committee.
In recognition of his work as a journalist and activist, Crelia was a 2014 POZ 100 honoree.
I write this with a heavy heart. I knew Brad. he was a wonderful human being and dedicated activist not just for HIV related causes but for all LGBT equality causes. Brads passing is a tragic loss. After living through the plague years and all of the friends that I have lost this has never gotten easier. In fact today it is harder.
In a 2011 interview with Dan Savage Brad was asked: If you could hammer one idea or concept into the heads of all gay men everywhere, what would it be?
Bard’s answer reflected his life: “Easy, keep on living life. Art, music, pop culture, literature are for HIV positive and negative people alike. ”
A great man. A great loss.
He will be missed.
I’m confused as to how he passed away. If he had been on treatment, there is no reason for him to have died. I can only assume therefore that he shunned treatment. What was the reason for his passing?