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Hydeia Broadbent
Hydeia Broadbent
Born	Hydeia Loren Broadbent; June 14, 1984; Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Died	February 20, 2024 (aged 39); Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Known for	HIV/AIDS activism

Hydeia Loren Broadbent (June 14, 1984 – February 20, 2024) was an American HIV/AIDS activist who advocated through appearances in national media and as a spokesperson for related foundations.

Born with HIV, Broadbent began taking part in trials for treatment of HIV at the age of three.^[1] Living with HIV her entire life, she began making appearances to raise awareness of it as a child, notably at the 1996 Republican National Convention.^[2] She described the disease as "a life sentence...you'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor and fighting for insurance forever."^[1]

Early life and education

Broadbent was born with undiagnosed HIV in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 14, 1984.^[3]^[2]^[4] She was initially taken in as a foster child by Loren and Patricia Broadbent who later adopted her. In 1987, the Broadbents learned that Hydeia was HIV positive.^[2]

Not much is known about Hydeia's parentage as her birth mother abandoned her at a Las Vegas hospital. Three years later, Hydeia's birth mother gave birth at the same hospital to another child and left him there as well. As HIV testing was required at the time, both mother and child were tested, and the results were positive for HIV. The hospital informed the Broadbents and they had Hydeia tested for HIV shortly afterwards. Her results were also positive for HIV.^[5]

Her adoptive mother signed her up for a research trial in hopes of finding a treatment that would work for Hydeia. Growing up, Hydeia regularly had blood infections, pneumonia, and fungal infections in her brain.^[1]^[6] It was predicted that she would not survive childhood, and would die at the age of five.^[2] Despite all predictions, she survived. However, when she was five, she developed AIDS.^[6]^[7]^[8]

She began attending school in seventh grade and attended Odyssey High School in Las Vegas from home using a computer.^[9]^[3]

Life and activism

Broadbent began her activism at age six by speaking about living with HIV/AIDS. She initially got involved with speaking on the subject through Elizabeth Glaser, the creator of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The two met while Hydeia was undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health. Glaser asked Hydeia's mother to let Hydeia speak publicly about having HIV/AIDS and she agreed.^[2]^[8]

Broadbent went on to speak at many events, including AIDS benefit concerts, documentaries, college campus education events, and talk shows. In 1992, Broadbent appeared on a Nickelodeon special along with Magic Johnson.^[7] Two years after the special, she established the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation and received a Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine. She appeared in Essence, on The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America, and at the 1996 Republican National Convention.^[2]^[10] At the Republican National Convention, she famously stated: "I am the future, and I have AIDS."^[2]^[8]

In 1996, Broadbent appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.^[10] She later appeared on Oprah: Where Are They Now?, as she was one of the most-requested guests to be revisited.^[10] In 2002, her family published a book titled You Get Past The Tears.^[11] The family also appeared on an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in 2004.^[12]

In 2012, Broadbent became an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority^[13]^[14] In 2014, Broadbent was a spokesperson on behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation and other AIDS activist organizations in order to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.^[7] She was involved in screening drives, along with actress and friend Jurnee Smollett.^[15] Broadbent traveled extensively both nationally and internationally to speak to others.^[4]

Broadbent took three antiretroviral pills a day and the majority of her medical payments were self-paid.^[1] According to Hydeia, "HIV is not a death sentence, but it's a life sentence...[y]ou'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor and fighting for insurance forever."^[1] She hoped that by sharing her story, things would begin to change.^[1]

Death and legacy

Broadbent died in Las Vegas on February 20, 2024, at the age of 39.^[3]^[16] In tribute after her death, Magic Johnson posted a video clip online from a 1992 interview, where both he and Broadbent spoke, with Broadbent, age 7, saying, "I want people to know that we're just normal people," and according to The New York Times, "her face crumpling as she fought through tears", and Johnson telling her, "We are normal people."^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Moisse, Katie. "Hydeia Brodbent, Born With HIV, Reacts to 'Cure'". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Drash, Wayne (May 18, 2012). "The girl who changed Magic Johnson". CNN. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Mayorquin, Orlando (February 22, 2024). "Hydeia Broadbent, H.I.V. and AIDS Activist, Dies at 39". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Nave, R.L. "Hydeia Broadbent". Jackson Free Press. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ Friess, Steve (August 1, 2011). "After the curtain: Behind the scenes of an AIDS activist's life". Desert Companion – Nevada Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Hydeia Broadbent, 'Oprah Show' Guest With AIDS, Shares What Life Is Like 18 Years After Her Appearance". The Huffington Post. January 21, 2014. Archived from the original on January 21, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Brydum, Sunnivie (January 21, 2014). "WATCH: Young and Poz Hydeia Broadbent Talk to Oprah". HIV Plus Mag. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Friess, Steve (October 1997). "She's Come A Long Way From Baby". Poz. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ "Odyssey Charter School". Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Jackson, Charreah. "ESSENCE Network: AIDS Activist Hydeia Broadbent on Life, Love and the end of HIV". Essence. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ Broadbent, Patricia; Romanowski, Patricia; Broadbent, Hydeia (April 9, 2002). You Get Past the Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival. Villard. ISBN 978-0-679-46314-6.
^ "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: Season 2, Episode 11". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
^ Famous Black Sorority Members – Hydeia Broadbent Archived February 21, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated: History & Achievements". Clutch Points. November 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
^ Morris, Alex (July 15, 2016). "Our Friendship—and Our Fight For Change". Glamour. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^ Fluker, Dominique (February 21, 2024). "Hydeia Broadbent, A Groundbreaking AIDS Activist, Has Passed Away At 39". Essence. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.