Donja R. Love is rewriting the narrative on Black, queer, and HIV-positive representation in theater
When we think of Donja R. Love, a few words come to mind, such as innovative, trailblazing, and fierce.Unapologetically, Black, queer, and HIV-Positive, the Philadelphia-born playwright discovered that, even when he failed to find the right words to say out loud, writing became his superpower.
And he’s flexed that power quite a bit.“And also — when I was younger, I had a really bad stuttering problem. And for a few years, I actually didn’t talk and I would write down whatever I was thinking.
I never made that connection of, ‘Even at this young age, you’re being set up for your purpose of writing’, until I became HIV positive”, Love said in an interview.Love studied African American Studies and Theatre at Temple University, ultimately departing the school before graduating.
After leaving his studies behind, Love was diagnosed with HIV in 2008. His diagnosis became the catalyst towards him diving deeper into writing and becoming a graduate of Julliard’s Playwriting program in 2019.From there, his groundbreaking play one in two was born.
