ABOUT ME
Bob Bowers HIV/AIDS Activist, Long-Term SURVIVOR, and Educator
"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 39 years."
Bob Bowers, also known as “Da Pirate,” or “One Tough Pirate,” is a 39-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 38-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 ®.”
If you’d like to contact Bob, aka One Tough Pirate, you can use the below links to social networks.
Bob Bowers on Facebook
Join Bob on Instagram
Bob Bowers on Twitter
HIV/AIDS Documentary, “The Fire Within”
“Blessings”
“Bob Bowers is a passionate activist and educator. As someone who has lived with AIDS for over 30 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
“Some legal jargon'”
HIVictorious® and compassion is our cure® were registered trademarks of HIVictorious, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization
Copyright © 2000-2022 www.bobbowers.online - www.onetoughpirate.com
Houston, Texas - All rights reserved
“The human voice is the most important instrument at our disposal, yet it is one of the most difficult to understand or define. You either hear it, or you don’t. It either moves you, or it leaves you cold…it is more than just a sound…it is the soul itself.”
~ Neil Diamond
1974
Bob Bowers - social media
Houston, Texas USA
"Today, HIV Long-Term Survivors (HLTS) represent a diverse group of people diagnosed with HIV before the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART in 1996. We 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."
YOU my special friend, are the finest example of an angel on earth I have ever found. I'm very proud to be getting to know you and of the person you are and the commitment you share.
Much Love,
Bridgita
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
Hi Bob,
Wow...your generous websites gives 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
Bob,
Thanks so much for doing what you do. VERY important. I think many people feel they don't know anyone who has HIV/AIDS. I'm guessing many people actually DO know someone affected by it... they just don't know that they know someone. People are so scared still that it's not typically talked about openly. It needs to be talked about. I have a friend who's been living with AIDS for over a decade now. He'll tell anyone who asks, he doesn't lie about it, but he doesn't necessarily advertise it either. Too much stigma, too much at risk for him to lose. Things must change. Thank you so much for your site and for doing what you do. It's so important to educate the public. You're awesome!
Best wishes to you,
Kristina
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
Gritty, raw and very real, The Fire Within is a compelling feature-length documentary chronicling a year in the life of long-term AIDS survivor Bob Bowers.