You may have seen headlines that an ABC on-air reporter came out as HIV-positive.  Certainly the dashing Karl Schmid looks familiar in that way I can’t quite place.  I knew he was either a Facebook friend, someone I saw on TV, or someone I had sex with.  Then I went through the archives on BillyMasters.com and saw that two years ago, the irrepressible Carson Kressley was openly flirting with Karl post-Oscars and then Tweeted him an invitation to go out.  Schmid is a 37-year-old Aussie who is on Los Angeles’ local ABC affiliate.  He says he’s wanted to come out earlier, but “industry professionals said, ‘Don’t!  It’ll ruin you’”.  So why now?  “I’m me.  I’m just like you.  I have a big heart and I want to be loved and accepted.  I may be on TV from time to time, but at the end of the day I’m just an average guy who wants what we all want.  To be accepted and loved by our friends and family and to be encouraged by our peers.  Labels are things that come and go but your dignity and who you are is what defines you.  I know who I am.  I know what I stand for and while in the past I may not have always had clarity, I do now.  Love me or hate me, that’s up to you.  But, for anyone who has ever doubted themselves because of those scary three letters and one symbol, let me tell you this, you are somebody who matters.”  Bravo!