About

David Michael Hawkins is the first and only openly gay, openly HIV-positive country artist.  And his new single “SIN,” (out June 20th), is a gut-punch of truth, pain, and resilience that deserves your attention during Pride Month and ahead of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).

If you’re looking for a story that blends country roots with lived experience, recovery, and advocacy—David Michael’s work delivers. He’s been featured by Yahoo News!, iHeartRadio, Out Front Magazine, Plus Life Media, ABC WKRN, News Channel 5, and more. 

As Out Front’s Denny Patterson put it:
“Openly gay and openly HIV-positive, David Michael represents the change of what it means to be an authentic country music entertainer.”

“SIN” is David Michael’s most personal release to date. It’s for the kid who’s bullied for existing. The addict who thinks they’re too far gone. The HIV-positive person who wonders if love is still possible. It’s a message from someone who’s lived it—and come out stronger.

His past work includes his 2022 single “Pretty Boy” (written by Grammy and CMA nominee Hailey Whitters), and his critically acclaimed six-song Patsy Cline tribute EP including “He’s Got You” and “A Poor Man’s Roses” recorded at Nashville’s OmniSound Studios.

Now sober, married, and thriving, David is turning his past into purpose—speaking at HIV conferences, performing at Pride events worldwide, and writing country music that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff.

“I wrote ‘SIN’ because I know there are other young LGBTQIA youth struggling to love themselves. I know there are addicts that think they are too far gone to change. And I know there are people with an HIV diagnosis that think no one will ever love them. I want them to know they aren’t alone, and I understand their pain. And that there is hope even at the darkest times.” — David Michael Hawkins