Jack Mackenroth Keeps Pushing for HIV Awareness

Jack Mackenroth has been one of the country's leading advocates for HIV awareness. EDGE spoke to the hunky model/fashion designer/HIV spokesperson about living a successful life with HIV.

Jack Mackenroth has been very open about his positive HIV status. Since his diagnosis at age 20, he has been trying to combat the stigma of HIV by living honestly and being a role model through professional and athletic achievements.

After graduating from Parsons School of Design in fashion design, Mackenroth opened his own clothing store, called Jack, in Greenwich Village in 1997. Already a well-known model, he went onto to work for Tommy Hilfiger and then designed for Levis.

While appearing on season four of "Project Runway," he casually disclosed his HIV status during a direct camera interview. He definitely takes pride in knowing his status and helping others manage their HIV status and live successful lives.

Pushing the message

EDGE: The recent announcement that 'Undetectable = Untransmissible' is a big win for the HIV positive community. Do you think this will help with the stigma that is attached to being positive?

Jack Mackenroth: Yes. As long as the message is adopted by world governments and the message is widespread. Most educated gay men in major U.S. cities know that if you are HIV positive and undetectable you CAN NOT transmit HIV. Ironically, statistically we are the safest group to have sex with but many people still think the opposite. They are more comfortable having unprotected sex with someone who 'says' they are negative. It's a bizarre mentality that has been beaten into our psyche for decades.

'Safe sex' needs to be redefined. There is safe sex with undetectable guys. There is safe sex with negative guys on PrEP. There is safe sex with condoms. (Also statistically the least safe option regarding HIV transmission.)

And of course, then everyone refutes all this with 'but what about all the other STIs?' Well first of all most of them are also contracted orally so unless you're also sucking cock with a condom your argument doesn't really hold up. Furthermore, all of those others are curable with antibiotics.

I've known this was true for years. It's only logical that if you can find the virus in our blood then we can't transmit.

I try to educate people all the time. Some listen. Some dog their heels in and quote the CDC. (Which is behind the times and still has incorrect information on their website.) Governments and their Health Departments are often slow on the uptake. Does that surprise you? Government agencies are notorious bureaucratic nightmares. Ever been to the post office? Good times.

We just need to keep pushing the message out there.

Defying stigmas

EDGE: There is still some discrimination that surrounds HIV even within our own community. Why did you decide to make your status known?

Jack Mackenroth: Well I've always been a very honest person and when I had the opportunity to defy stigma on a national platform ('Project Runway'), I consciously did it because visibility is extremely powerful. People don't deal with issues until it's in front of their faces. That's why the adoption of PrEP has also been great for HIV stigma. Negative guys are becoming really educated about HIV, which normally doesn't happen until they aren't negative anymore.

I encourage every positive guy to be open and out. It's really freeing. I've never kept it a secret. Partially because I've been positive since I was 20 so I just assumed I would die so there was no point in trying to hide it.

It's also been a great way to help people. On any given day I am coaching half a dozen guys around the world about HIV via Facebook and Instagram and Scruff and basically every form of social media. I'm very accessible.

EDGE: Is there a downside to being honest and open about your HIV positive status?

Jack Mackenroth: Not really. Since I am so visible and vocal it can feel like a lot of responsibility. And I'm just a guy trying to get through life like anyone else. But for the most part I don't even think about it anymore.

Adopt a pet

EDGE: How has having a social media presence help with your activism?

Jack Mackenroth: I think I alluded to it earlier. It's just made me the go-to guy for a lot of people, especially the newly diagnosed, who have questions and concerns. I think if you google 'HIV' I come up fairly frequently. Yippee!

My public 'brand' also helps deliver the message. I'm very sex positive and I lure people in with sexy and sassy and then throw in a bit of activism. Sometimes that's more effective than some of the sterile messaging you get from education campaigns and government funded stuff.

EDGE: Besides HIV activism, what other causes are you passionate about?

Jack Mackenroth: Well I don't really have much time to invest in many other causes. I want Trump to explode -- literally. I'm pretty obsessed with fitness and swimming. And I have a rescue dog who is amazing so I think everyone should adopt a pet if you're going to get one.

Comfortable being naked

EDGE: What was your motivation to become a body / sex positive activist?

Jack Mackenroth: Well, we all work with the tools we have. I've been a competitive swimmer since I was six and I was a model in the 90s so I'm comfortable being naked. And it gets attention.

EDGE: Your Instagram photos are great. How important is staying fit and active to your lifestyle and health?

Jack Mackenroth: Thanks! I hope your readers follow me. Initially, I started body building because being physically strong made me feel like I could fight HIV. Now, I just like it and it's good for my mental and physical health. And it keeps me young.

EDGE: What advice do you have for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV?

Jack Mackenroth: Try not to freak out. Find a doctor you like and trust. Get on meds ASAP and talk to a long-term survivor like me. Most likely, you'll be totally fine and live a normal life. And don't buy into any of that shame bullshit. You didn't do anything wrong. A disease is no one's fault. Fuck stigma.

Totally single

b>EDGE: Are you single and ready to settle down? If so, who would be your ideal man?

Jack Mackenroth: Yes. Very single. And TOTALLY ready to settle down. I'm almost 50! I'm looking for someone who is not interested in the scene and doesn't do drugs. I'm sober so I would prefer a sober guy but drinking is fine. I'd like a guy within 10 years of my age. I will admit I'm attracted to muscles but not a requirement. I'm 80 percent bottom (shocking) so we need to be sexually compatible. I tend to go for guys around my size -- 6 foot/205 -- but I've dated a guy who was 5'3" and a guy who was 6'7", so. More importantly he should have a career and a passion that goes beyond the gym. And I'm a sarcastic weirdo so I appreciate that in others.

It's funny because I think people assume I have some glamorous life because of the facade of social media but I've been single for three years. Almost daily I get propositions online but no one is serious.

EDGE: What's one misconception or something people would be surprised to know about you?

Jack Mackenroth: Well, I always tell people not to believe what you see online. Most of it is bullshit. See above.

Let's see. I can't tell my left from my right. Seriously. There's some sort of block in my brain.

I was pre-med at UC Berkeley for two years before switching to art and design.

There are a lot of unexpected surprises. Find me on social media and ask me on a date. I'll tell you all about them. @jackmackenroth