{{short description|American HIV/AIDS activist}} {{Use American English |date=December 2014}} {{Use mdy dates |date=December 2014}} {{Infobox person<!-- All references for statements in infobox can be found in the article prose --> | name = Josh Robbins | image = Josh Robbins.jpg | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|1|12}} | birth_place = Jackson, Tennessee, US | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|1999|9|19}} --> | death_place = | alma_mater = Middle Tennessee State University | occupation = HIV/AIDS activist, blogger, social media marketer, talent agent | known_for = | website = {{URL|http://imstilljosh.com}} }} '''Joshua W. Robbins'''<ref name="LinkedIn">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuawrobbins|title=Josh Robbins|date=|publisher=LinkedIn|access-date=December 30, 2014}}<!-- Admissible for non-exceptional claims per WP:ABOUTSELF --></ref> (born January 12, 1983<ref name="WhoSay">{{cite web|url=http://www.whosay.com/imstilljosh/bio|title=Josh Robbins|date=|publisher=WhoSay|access-date=December 30, 2014}}<!-- Admissible for non-exceptional claims per WP:ABOUTSELF --></ref> in Jackson, Tennessee)<ref name="WhoSay"/><ref name="TheBody 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/71013/this-positive-life-newly-living-with-hiv-josh-robb.html?getPage=3 |title=Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 3) |work=This Positive Life |publisher=TheBody.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="O&AN 2010-12-01">{{cite news |url=http://www.outandaboutnashville.com/story/holiday-memories-josh-robbins |title=Holiday memories: Josh Robbins |work=Out & About Nashville |date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref> is an American HIV/AIDS activist,<ref name="POZ 100, 2013">{{cite news |url=http://www.poz.com/articles/poz100_p_r_2806_24776.shtml#Josh_Robbins |title=The POZ 100: P–R |work=POZ |date=December 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2014}}</ref> blogger,<ref name="POZ 100, 2013"/> talent agent,<ref name="IMDb">{{IMDb name|3865899}}</ref><ref name="About.com">{{cite web |url=http://aids.about.com/b/2014/01/20/people-to-watch-josh-robbins-imstilljosh-com.htm |title=People to Watch: Josh Robbins @imstilljosh.com |date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2014 |publisher=About Health |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230185025/http://aids.about.com/b/2014/01/20/people-to-watch-josh-robbins-imstilljosh-com.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> writer, and social media marketer.<ref name="POZ 100, 2013"/> His work has been featured on ''The Advocate'', Human Rights Campaign, ''POZ'' and a myriad of additional publications. Robbins was named to the ''POZ'' 100 List in 2013.<ref name="POZ 100, 2013"/>
== Advocacy == Before his HIV diagnosis, Robbins was raising awareness about HIV in the LGBT community and fundraising for the AIDS service organization Nashville CARES.<ref name="POZ 100, 2013"/> He was also a volunteer for the HVTN 505 clinical vaccine trial.<ref name="POZ 100, 2013"/><ref name="ISJ About">{{cite web |url=http://www.imstilljosh.com/about/ |title=About I'm Still Josh |publisher=I'm Still Josh |date=May 25, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> He has been described as "one of a growing legion of bloggers who are breathing life into HIV activism".<ref name="About.com"/>
Robbins published a video on YouTube of being told of his HIV diagnosis in January 2012,<ref name="ISJ About"/><ref>{{YouTube|pjwrRou8--0|I'm HIV Positive I just found out I'm HIV + ... now what? I'm still Josh}}. Recorded January 24, 2012; uploaded February 28, 2012; accessed December 28, 2014.</ref> after revealing his HIV status on Facebook.<ref name="TheBody 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/71013/this-positive-life-newly-living-with-hiv-josh-robb.html?getPage=2 |title=Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 2) |work=This Positive Life |publisher=TheBody.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref> Robbins also hosts the weekly digital series, ''HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins'', and created the "Ask HIV" iPhone app.<ref name="Ask HIV">{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ask-hiv/id946510091?mt=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208145410/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ask-hiv/id946510091?mt=8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |title=Ask HIV |publisher=iTunes Store |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2014 }}</ref>
In 2018, Robbins was named the national spokesperson for DatingPositives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/health/std-sti-dating-sex-kerner/index.html|title=Dating while you have an STD|website=CNN|date=October 30, 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/social-discovery-ventures-launches-dating-platform-for-all-sti-positive-people-300693732.html|title=Social Discovery Ventures Launches Dating Platform For All STI-Positive People|last=DatingPositives|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.datingpositives.com/|title=DatingPositives.com – A Popular Global Online Dating Site for Eligible Singles Worldwide|website=www.datingpositives.com|access-date=2019-05-23|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717103038/https://www.datingpositives.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Social media === Robbins uses digital and social media to advocate for HIV education to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.<ref name="ABC">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/hiv-hot-spots-stark-reminder-deadly-disease/story?id=20707963&singlePage=true |title=HIV hot-spots a stark reminder of deadly disease |work=Good Morning America |publisher=ABC News |date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2014 }}</ref> In 2014, Robbins introduced the "HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins" digital video series, licensed to ''HIV+'' magazine.<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="HIV Video Minute">{{cite web |url=http://www.hivplusmag.com/hiv-plus-video-minute |title=HIV Video Minute |work=HIV+ |access-date=December 28, 2014 }}</ref>
=== Blogger and author === In 2012, Robbins launched his blog focusing on encouraging those living with HIV/AIDS, described as a combination of "fact-based reportage and highly personal social blogging — in a way that [is] both insightful and utterly engaging".<ref name="About.com"/> In 2014, Robbins self-published: ''HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook''<ref name="B00INKSP4W">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pHbxAgAAQBAJ |title=HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook |author=Josh Robbins |publisher=imstilljosh.com |asin=B00INKSP4W |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> He also published ''Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist''.<ref name="B00P0EYMIW">{{cite book |url=http://www.thebrandagement.com/?attachment_id=6747 |title=Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist |author=Josh Robbins |publisher=imstilljosh.com |asin=B00P0EYMIW |date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230193226/http://www.thebrandagement.com/?attachment_id=6747 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2014, Robbins created an iPhone application called Ask HIV,<ref name="Ask HIV"/> described by Product Hunt as an "HIV/AIDS hotline on your iPhone".<ref name="Product Hunt Ask HIV">{{cite web |url=https://www.producthunt.com/posts/ask-hiv |title=Ask HIV |publisher=Product Hunt |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref>
In 2018, Robbins received the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association "Excellence in Journalism" Award for blogging.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nlgja.org/blog/2018/07/nlgja-announces-2018-excellence-journalism-award-recipients/|title=NLGJA Announces 2018 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients - NLGJA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref>
== Entrepreneur == Robbins is a veteran talent agent, owning and operating BNA Talent Group with niche divisions for actors, hosts and children<ref name="MusicRow 2009-09-15">{{cite news |url=http://www.musicrow.com/2009/09/nichols-performs-for-dalai-lama-bna-talent-group-opens/ |title=Nichols performs for Dalai Lama & BNA Talent Group opens |work=MusicRow |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="BNA Talent Group">{{cite web |url=http://bnatalent.com/about-nashville-talent-agency-bna-talent-group/ |title=About Nashville talent agency BNA Talent Group |publisher=BNA Talent Group |date=November 19, 2012 |access-date=December 29, 2014 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230190035/http://bnatalent.com/about-nashville-talent-agency-bna-talent-group/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="WBIR">{{cite news |url=http://www.wbir.com/news/article/277031/2/Businesses-step-up-efforts-to-attract-LGBT-customers |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141230174814/http://www.wbir.com/news/article/277031/2/Businesses-step-up-efforts-to-attract-LGBT-customers |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |title=Businesses step up efforts to attract LGBT customers |publisher=WBIR-TV |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> and a division managing brands called The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group.<ref name="BNA Talent Group"/><ref name="BRANDagement">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebrandagement.com/#section-our-team |title=Our team |publisher=The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group |date=November 9, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> His clients have appeared in studio feature films and on television.<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="MusicRow 2011-01-14">{{cite news |url=http://www.musicrow.com/2011/01/bna-talent-signs-lopez-and-tallant/ |title=BNA Talent signs Lopez and Tallant |work=MusicRow |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2014/08/country-musician-rebranded-straightwashed-for-heterosexual-audience.html |title=Country musician Josey Greenwell rebranded, 'straightwashed' for heterosexual audience |work=Towleroad |date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/09/19/is-terry-gilliam-currently-in-production-on-something-called-the-legend-of-talladega/ |title=Is Terry Gilliam currently in production on something called ''The Legend of Talladega''? |work=Bleeding Cool |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> He also works with companies interested in casting models and actors aimed at LGBT consumers.<ref name="WBIR"/> As a business professional, Robbins is vocal for LGBT issues in the workplace.<ref name="Viacom 2013-07-10">{{cite news |url=http://blog.viacom.com/2013/07/open-for-business-panel-gathers-professionals-to-discuss-lgbt-issues/ |title=CMT 'open for Business' panel addresses LGBT issues, future of the workplace |publisher=Viacom |date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2014 |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820161722/http://blog.viacom.com/2013/07/open-for-business-panel-gathers-professionals-to-discuss-lgbt-issues/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Personal life == Robbins identifies as an out gay man<ref name="TheBody 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/71013/this-positive-life-newly-living-with-hiv-josh-robb.html |title=Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 1) |work=This Positive Life |publisher=TheBody.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> and is open about his HIV-positive status.<ref name="ISJ About"/><ref name="ABC"/><ref name="TheBody 1"/><ref name="O&AN 2012-03-05">{{cite news |url=http://www.outandaboutnashville.com/story/josh-robbins-comes-out |title=Josh Robbins comes OUT |work=Out & About Nashville |date=March 5, 2012 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref> He supports HIV/AIDS organizations including Nashville CARES<ref name="Nashville CARES 2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.nashvillecares.org/about/publications/sm_files/2013%20Annual%20Report%20Electronic.pdf |title=Annual Report 2012–2013 |publisher=Nashville CARES |date=2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230180853/http://www.nashvillecares.org/about/publications/sm_files/2013%20Annual%20Report%20Electronic.pdf |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="TheBody 4">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/71013/this-positive-life-newly-living-with-hiv-josh-robb.html?getPage=4 |title=Newly living with HIV, Josh Robbins is "Still Josh" — and still an Advocate (page 4) |work=This Positive Life |publisher=TheBody.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. He was diagnosed with HIV during his participation in the HVTN 505 clinical trial<ref name="ISJ About"/><ref name="AP 2013-04-25">{{cite web |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/another-hiv-vaccine-fails-govt-halts-us-study |title=Latest HIV vaccine doesn't work; govt halts study |work=The Big Story |publisher=Associated Press |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231005853/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/another-hiv-vaccine-fails-govt-halts-us-study |url-status=dead }}</ref> though he explained that his infection was not a result of the vaccine.<ref name="O&AN 2013-04-29">{{cite news |url=http://www.outandaboutnashville.com/story/national-hiv-vaccine-trial-hvtn-505 |title=National HIV vaccine trial, HVTN 505, immunizations stopped |work=Out & About Nashville |date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref> Robbins has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, advertising and marketing from Middle Tennessee State University<ref name="LinkedIn"/> and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.<ref name="WhoSay"/><ref name="ABC"/>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://imstilljosh.com}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robbins, Josh}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:People from Jackson, Tennessee Category:Middle Tennessee State University alumni Category:American HIV/AIDS activists Category:People with HIV/AIDS Category:American gay writers Category:American LGBTQ businesspeople Category:LGBTQ people from Tennessee Category:Writers from Tennessee Category:American writers with disabilities