Short Version
Todd Fuqua (they/them) is a 57-year-old queer artivist based in Indianapolis. After 20+ years in corporate work, Todd shifted toward community-based advocacy focused on LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, addiction recovery, and HIV stigma. Diagnosed with HIV in 2012, they reached undetectable status in nine months and became publicly visible in 2019. Todd serves on the Ryan White Planning Council and leads coalition efforts for HIV Modernization Movement – Indiana. They also founded CelebrateUU, a movement encouraging people to mark their undetectable anniversaries with pride. As an award-winning photographer, Todd blends art and activism to challenge stigma and uplift healing.
Longer Version
Todd Fuqua (they/them), 57, is a queer artivist, connector, and reflector based in Indianapolis, Indiana. After over two decades in the corporate world, Todd experienced a transformative pivot in 2010 following job loss. That life shift fueled their passion for asset-based community development, social justice, and self-advocacy—especially within LGBTQ+ communities, mental health, addiction recovery, HIV/AIDS, and reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals.
In 2012, Todd was hospitalized with sepsis due to untreated stage-2 syphilis, leading to a diagnosis of HIV. With immediate antiretroviral therapy, they reached undetectable status in nine months. Though initially private, Todd publicly embraced their HIV status in 2019 through a local article about The Damien Center, followed by national visibility in TheBody.com’s “Eye on the End” series. Their advocacy expanded to include roles on the Ryan White Planning Council (now Secretary), the Marion County EHE Task Force, and participation in the International AIDS Conference (IAC2020VIRTUAL). In 2025, Todd was selected for NMAC’s 50+ Strong & Healthy Program and earned a scholarship to the HIV Is Not a Crime Training Academy for their digital artwork When HIV Is No Longer A Crime.
Todd is the founder of CelebrateUU, a social movement rooted in the U=U message, encouraging people living with HIV to celebrate the anniversary of becoming undetectable. In 2024, a 25-story photo series from the movement was exhibited at the Marion County Central Library for World AIDS Day. As Coalition Building Lead for HIV Modernization Movement – Indiana, Todd organizes grassroots efforts to reform HIV criminal laws through community engagement and policy education.
An award-winning photographer and Certified Professional Photographer, Todd’s visual work explores themes of queerness, vulnerability, and resilience. Projects include Mass Transit Is NOT a Drag, the “HIV Is Not a Crime” art series, and Spirit Journey—a multimedia project exhibited through the IUPUI Arts & Humanities Institute.
For more, visit www.celebrateuu.org or www.ctoddcreations.com.
For current information on education, certifications and volunteer work please check out Todd’s Linked IN profile or his artistic resume.
