Mark L. Grantham

Retired
Teacher
Chattanooga, TN

My name is Mark L Grantham, I was born on July 4, 1961, in a small town in Northwest Pennsylvania. My parents were expecting a Halloween baby, surprise.  I was fortunate to have a family that was not only accepting and supportive of me being gay, also of my HIV status, I have been sharing my life with HIV since 1984.

I am a graduate of FSU in Tallahassee, Florida as well as USF in Saint Petersburg, Florida. I earned degrees in German and French Literature and Language, as well as Early American History.

I am a retired teacher, I taught English and History to high school age students, in both Florida and Syria. Helping to educate younger people is a passion of mine, it is a way to open minds and allow them to critically think.

Here in the Deep South, the Bible Belt, ones’ HIV status can be seen as a barrier, one that needs to be crossed That is why I like to say that I am the voice for the voiceless. I have had the wonderful opportunities of working with college age students, Houses of Worship, Civic Groups and Community Based Organizations.

When I am not advocating in the community for HIV related issues, I like to knit, listen to opera, read historically based novels and cook Middle Eastern Cuisine.