Mondo Guerra Shares HIV Status on "TakePart Live"

Mondo Guerra shocked not only "Project Runway" viewers when he announced on the eighth season of the reality show that he was HIV-positive; he stunned his family as well. In an interview on the web series "TakePart" Live, he reveals how the show helped him come out as HIV-positive, and become a positive spokesperson for other PLWHAs.

"I was dying from AIDS a couple months before that," said Guerra. "I was 30 years old and had lost focus and so for me to be on a show where I was getting recognition for something that I felt so passionate about and to be able to create a design that I felt so honest and truthful about and for me to be on that runway and tell my story honestly, was very important for me because this is something that has allowed me to survive. My creativity has allowed me to survive."

Guerra hid his diagnosis from even those closest to him for 10 years. Until revealing his struggle through a bold fashion design, Guerra allowed his status to define him. Now an outspoken advocate, he's taken his designing success to partner up with Subaru and the Love Responsibly campaign.

"I have teamed up with Subaru on a wonderful campaign called Dining out for Life which will be this year on April 30," said Guerra, referring to the annual fundraiser held at more than 3,000 restaurants across the country. "So check your city and make a reservation, definitely dine out and fight AIDS."

As part of his work with Subaru, he has designed the "Love Responsibly" custom car wrap for the 2015 Subaru Legacy, to help raise money for AIDS. During his time in Miami, he visited Project Angel Heart, one of the many AIDS Service Organizations that benefit from Dining Out For Life. After Chef Jon Emanuel showed Guerra the impressive effort that goes into making meals for PLWHAs, Guerra said he was inspired to create the custom car wrap.

For more information, visit http://www.takepart.com/love-responsibly