Before his HIV diagnosis, Robbins was raising awareness about HIV in the LGBT community and fundraising for the AIDS service organization Nashville CARES.[5] He was also a volunteer for the HVTN 505 clinical vaccine trial.[5][8] He has been described as "one of a growing legion of bloggers who are breathing life into HIV activism".[7]
Robbins published a video on YouTube of being told of his HIV diagnosis in January 2012,[8][9] after revealing his HIV status on Facebook.[10] Robbins also hosts the weekly digital series, HIV Video Minute with Josh Robbins, and created the "Ask HIV" iPhone app.[11]
In 2018, Robbins was named the national spokesperson for DatingPositives.[12][13][14]
In 2012, Robbins launched his blog focusing on encouraging those living with HIV/AIDS, described as a combination of "fact-based reportage and highly personal social blogging — in a way that [is] both insightful and utterly engaging".[7] In 2014, Robbins self-published: HIV Won't Kill Me: Encouragement eBook[17] He also published Social Media Is Not Prison, So Unlock Yourself: Tips from a Social Media HIV Activist.[18]
In 2014, Robbins created an iPhone application called Ask HIV,[11] described by Product Hunt as a "HIV/AIDS hotline on your iPhone".[19]
In 2018, Robbins received the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association "Excellence in Journalism" Award for blogging.[20]
Entrepreneur
Robbins is a veteran talent agent, owning and operating BNA Talent Group with niche divisions for actors, hosts and children[21][22][23] and a division managing brands called The BRANDagement at BNA Talent Group.[22][24] His clients have appeared in studio feature films and on television.[6][25][26][27] He also works with companies interested in casting models and actors aimed at LGBT consumers.[23] As a business professional, Robbins is vocal for LGBT issues in the workplace.[28]
