Shawn authored one of the first HIV-positive blogs in 1996, when they were called "Online Diaries". In 2006, his humorous memoir, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure was published by The Penguin Group. Since 2000, Shawn and his partner, Gwenn, have used their relationship to educate about HIV and break down the stigma that surrounds sexual health. They live together happily- and healthily!- in Charlottesville, VA.