Wynston King of His Own StoryWynston King of His Own Story
Challenging Pathos
Today we sat down with Wynston; a local queer trans man from upstate South Carolina. We dive into his life experience with HIV, harm reduction, and drag to learn more about these communities. This episode was supported by the Counter Narrative...
52:42•20 Jul 2026
Winston Cornelius: Drag, Harm Reduction and Owning His Story
Episode Overview
- Talking openly about drugs, sex and HIV is still taboo in the Bible Belt, yet these conversations are vital for prevention and community health.
- Drag and performance helped Winston recognise his trans identity and express complex emotions while connecting with others.
- Safer sex practices, including condoms and cleaning toys, can feel affirming and protective rather than shame-based.
- Using people-first and respectful language around HIV, substance use and gender identity is a key part of human dignity.
- Winston believes trans people are worthy of love and support, urging younger trans folks to hold on and trust that life can get better.
“You were put on this green earth for a reason and there isn’t anything wrong with you… just hold on. I promise it will. I promise it will.”
What drives someone to seek a life where their story is truly their own? This episode follows Winston Cornelius, a 37-year-old Black trans man from upstate South Carolina, as he talks openly about trans identity, HIV, substance use, and drag against the backdrop of a deeply conservative, religious region. You'll hear Winston explain how drag and performance shaped his understanding of himself, saying that his persona "Big Papa Cherry" pretty much catapulted him into knowing he was transgender.
He shares how music, costumes and performance gave him space to unpack his masculinity, joy and pain, all while building community on and off stage. The conversation moves into harm reduction and HIV, with Winston and host Raymond pointing out that talking about drugs and safer sex is still "a little bit taboo" in the Bible Belt, even though "people have sex, y'all" and overdose and HIV risks are very real.
They talk about meth, chemsex, drug checking, and the importance of safer sex tools like condoms and cleaning toys, framing safety as something that can feel "hot" and affirming rather than shameful. Language comes up again and again – from using people-first phrases like "person living with HIV" to respecting pronouns and ditching terms like "crackhead". Winston pushes for common decency in healthcare settings, stressing that trans people just want to be treated as human beings first.
One of the most moving moments comes when Winston speaks directly to isolated young trans people: "You were put on this green earth for a reason and there isn’t anything wrong with you... just hold on. I promise it will [get better]." He ends with quiet optimism, seeing small but real shifts in South Carolina and committing to being one of the people behind the scenes helping his community.
If you’re curious how identity, harm reduction, and queer history meet in everyday life, this conversation might stay with you long after it ends.
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