Queer Eye's Jonathan thanks fans after revealing HIV diagnosis

Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has thanked his fans, friends and followers for all of their "love and support" after he revealed he's living with HIV.

The reality star opens up about his HIV diagnosis in his new memoir Over The Top, with The New York Times sharing extracts from the book in a recent feature.

Speaking to the publication, Van Ness explained that he hopes he will be able to help tackle the stigma around HIV by recounting his experiences, saying: "It's hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven't shared publicly. These are issues that need to be talked about.

"When Queer Eye came out, it was really difficult because I was like, 'Do I want to talk about my status?'" he continued.

"And then I was like, 'The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatisation of the LGBT+ community thrive around me'. I do feel the need to talk about this."

After the article went live, the star soon shared an update on his Instagram Stories in which he thanked everyone who reached out to him, sharing that he was "feeling so much love and support".

"Just want to say thank you all so much especially my Queer Eye family and countless other friends and family for reaching out today," he added.

"Not only to the people who I have known but everyone else who has showered me with grace. It truly means the world."

"Part of that for me is to process what's happened, but the bigger part is that I wanted to do something to move the conversation forward in a meaningful way around HIV/Aids, and what it is to live with HIV, and to humanise and normalise a lot of the things I talk about."

Jonathan also added that he wants to address false perceptions about living with HIV, acknowledging that the stigma is still hard to overcome.

"These are all difficult subjects to talk about on a makeover show about hair and makeup," he added. "That doesn't mean Queer Eye is less valid, but I want people to realise you're never too broken to be fixed."