Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness says he's an out-and-proud 'member of the beautiful HIV-positive community'

Cape Town – Queer Eye's bearded and bubbly grooming expert, Jonathan Van Ness, has opened up about his past struggles with drugs, being sexually abused, and his H.I.V. (human immunodeficiency virus) status in his new memoir, Over the Top.

In the book, which will be released on 26 September, Jonathan bravely talks about his history with using drugs and also shares that he is H.I.V.-positive. 

In an interview with the New York Times about the launch of his book, Jonathan said that it's "hard to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven't shared publicly". 

The 32-year-old's book is subtitled "Raw Journey to Self-Love" and in it he describes himself as an out-and-proud "member of the beautiful H.I.V.-positive community". 

The reality TV star hopes that by sharing his story he can help bring attention to misperceptions about being H.I.V.-positive. 

AN INSTAGRAM POST FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES: