Honey Boo Boo's Uncle Poodle Is HIV Positive

Lee Thomson, best known as Uncle Poodle from Honey Boo Boo, has publically admitted he’s HIV positive. The openly gay brother of Sugar Bear opened up about the devastating news to a local Atlanta magazine, but if his words are any indication, he’s going to try and be as positive about his situation as possible.

Speaking to Fenuxe, Thomson revealed that he was infected by his now ex-boyfriend early in 2012. After the bad news, he apparently confronted the guy and found out he knew he was HIV positive and wasn’t telling anyone or doing anything about it. In response, local authorities advised Thomson to press charges and he ultimately did. The former lover has since been jailed and will remain there for the next five years.

Moving forward, Uncle Poodle would like to work on anti-bullying and HIV awareness campaigns. Here’s what he had to say about those goals…

”I know what it is like to be bullied. I know what it is like to live with HIV. I can help and I want to.”

HIV might have been a quick death sentence back in the day, but with modern medications, diligence and a willingness to fight, those who are infected can not only survive for decades, they can truly thrive.

Pop Blend’s sincerest well wishes go out to Uncle Poodle, as well as everyone else from Honey Boo Boo’s clan.

Mack Rawden
Editor In Chief

Mack Rawden is the Editor-In-Chief of CinemaBlend. He first started working at the publication as a writer back in 2007 and has held various jobs at the site in the time since including Managing Editor, Pop Culture Editor and Staff Writer. He now splits his time between working on CinemaBlend’s user experience, helping to plan the site’s editorial direction and writing passionate articles about niche entertainment topics he’s into. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English (go Hoosiers!) and has been interviewed and quoted in a variety of publications including Digiday. Enthusiastic about Clue, case-of-the-week mysteries, a great wrestling promo and cookies at Disney World. Less enthusiastic about the pricing structure of cable, loud noises and Tuesdays.