Charlie Sheen announced on the Today Show that the rumors he was HIV-positive were true. In doing so, Sheen said he hopes to “release” himself from the “prison” his HIV diagnosis four years ago has placed upon him as a high profile actor.
Sheen said during his appearance that he had paid upwards of $10 million dollars to keep his diagnosis a secret. The extortion, according to Sheen, came even from within his “inner circle” of friend. “I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason,” Sheen said.
Sheen denied the possibility that he has transmitted the virus through high-risk behaviors like intravenous drug use or unprotected sex.
However, Sheen did disclose during his interview he had slept with two women without protection, but that both women were aware of his status. Since the announcement, several women claiming to be partners of Sheen since his diagnosis have come forth claiming he did not inform them prior to intimacy.
Sheen reported on his taxes that he spent nearly $1.5 million “friendly entertainment,” meaning sex workers during the calendar year. Sheen is unsure how he contracted the virus four years ago.
Sheen reflected on the many ups and downs of his personal and public life. “There’s a lot out there I’m not proud of. You can only hear ‘winning’ in the streets so many times,” he said. “I’ve pissed off a lot of really good opportunities.”
Sheen made headlines as being the highest paid television actor of the time, yet for complex reasons, being fired from “2 and a Half Men,” the long running TV series he starred in.
Sheen is one of an estimated 1.2 million HIV positive Americans, according to the CDC projections from the 2012-year. Sheen’s announcement has placed him alongside other celebrities to publicly come out as HIV positive, from Rock Hudson’s shocking reveal to Magic Johnson, while others like Liberace took their diagnosis and struggles to the grave.
The spotlight on HIV has drawn attention to both the departures from the stigmatization of HIV from the onset in the 80’s and the similarities from both eras. Charlie’s co star, Jenny McCarthy admitted in a candid interview that she felt uncomfortable that Sheen had not been required to denote his STI status as there were several kissing scenes in the series.
“I was like, ‘Wait a second, if I have to be upfront about a herpe, how could you not be upfront about HIV,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy went on to detail that there were several intimate scenes that she felt should have warranted a denotation of STI status.
Lawsuits, if filed by the women who have spoken out about their experiences, would have legal grounds for doing so. Judge Alex Ferrer said during a Fox News broadcast that the Jury would be responsible for deciding who is and who is not trustworthy in their testimony that they present, should there be a he-said-she-said scenario in the courtroom.
The concern of AIDS and how it pertains to a professional environment also relates to another prominent business in California, the adult film industry. After a recent AIDS outbreak in the California adult film scene, concern about regulating the adult video business to prevent aids transmission was raised by California legislative bodies and lobby groups.
California has recently proposed legislation requiring all actors of pornography use protection for all video productions. Failure to comply would result in a $70,000 fine for the company.
Dayton has recently opened the Aids Resource Ohio building on 4th Street. Sinclair Community College provides free AIDS testing services on several occasions throughout the year, as well as counseling services for those dealing with or those that struggle with the reality of family members or friends going through life with HIV or AIDS.
Barton Kleen
Managing Editor