Martin Sheen says he is proud of his son Charlie for revealing to the world that he is HIV positive.
Sheen Sr. told an event in Florida that he and his wife had been encouraging Charlie to share the news for several months, but he kept resisting it.
“He had been leading up to this sort of story for several months and we kept encouraging him to do it,” said the 75-year-old West Wing actor.
“But he kept backing away and back away because it was like going to his own execution, I guess. It was the most difficult thing he’s ever done.”
“I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and of sub truths… and very harmful and mercurial stories threatening the health of so many others, which couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Charlie said.
Martin Sheen says his family did not know Charlie was going to make the disclosure until he was on the set.
“We didn’t know until he walked on the set that he was going to do it. I saw him Saturday night – my wife and I went to see him – to make sure he knew we were behind him and, if he wanted me to go, I would have cancelled this event.
“But he said no, this was his and his alone,” he revealed.
