Rory
Rory O Neill, with stage names Panti or Pantibliss, is Ireland’s most renowned drag artist, and he has been living with HIV since 1995. Rory explains that back then when…
Building Bridges to End HIV Stigma
As a Community, Let's Unite in Our Efforts to Break Down HIV Stigma by Sharing Inspiring Stories and Building Bridges of Understanding and Acceptance
Luke
Luke underwent a sexual health checkup at the age of 19, only to receive a diagnosis of HIV. Following this revelation, Luke described the experience as surreal, akin to a…
Jordi
I met Jordi at an ACTUP Dublin webinar in late 2019 and asked him if he would like to participate in my project. He agreed to do so. When I…
Gerard
Gerard Brown is one of Positive Now’s founders, an organisation with a profound mission. Positive Now, established in June 2010, is a dynamic collective of individuals living with HIV dedicated…
Emma
Emma has been living with HIV since 1991 and has chosen to speak publicly about living with HIV for the last 30 years.When first diagnosed, she was given eight to…
Robbie
Robbie served as the inaugural interviewee for my documentary on People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Having studied Zoology at UCD, Robbie underwent his first sexual health check just before embarking…
Mario
Mario, originally from Sicily, grew up in New Jersey before returning to Sicily at the age of 19. Since 1985, he has been living with HIV/HCV/HBV. Despite facing these health…
Eliane
At age 26, Eliane moved with her husband from Burundi to Angola and has been living with type 2 diabetes in Angola. When she started attending a new hospital there…
Miss B
Miss B underwent her annual blood tests at her general practitioner's office, discovering an unexpectedly high platelet count. This led to her referral to the Hematology/Oncology department, where an extensive…
Phellipe
Phellipe Lutterbeck When Phellipe returned home to his native country Brazil in 2019, he went to have a full health screening test, and what was included in the health screening…
Luis
Luis Noguera Benitez Venezuelan actor and director who lives with HIV and went through a lot of self-stigma until one day he said he had enough and started sharing his…
Michael
This is Michael, and you can delve deeper into his narrative by visiting his blog @hivblogger. During our engaging two-hour conversation, Michael shared his journey with HIV, from its onset…
Stephan
Stephan Vernhes is a remarkable individual from France who has shown unwavering dedication in sexual health, HIV, hepatitis C, STIs, and addiction for over the past decade. His journey and…
Kiro
Kiro is generously sharing his story about living with HIV, emphasizing that he maintains a full and healthy life by taking a single daily pill to keep his viral load…
Aoife
Aoife Commins is an Irish nurse who has bravely shared her personal story of living with HIV to raise awareness and challenge the stigma associated with the virus. Her openness…
Adrian
Today, I had the privilege of meeting an exceptional young man who graciously allowed me to capture his portraits for my documentary on People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Adrian proved…
Marios
This is Marios Atzemis, a resilient individual from Athens, armed with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Marios has courageously confronted HIV for the past 13 years while navigating…
Alex
Alex Schneider, a Ph.D. chemist living with HIV for eleven years, has dedicated the last nine years to HIV advocacy. His journey began with sharing scientific updates about HIV on…
Arda
Arda Karapinar, also known as Minas Panosian, is a distinguished global advocate for HIV treatment, a prolific writer, and the visionary founder of Red Ribbon Istanbul, Türkiye leading organisation dedicated…
Matthew
Matthew Hodson, a native of London, serves as the Executive Director of the British charity aidsmap, where he channels his passion for activism. His educational journey led him to university,…
Patrick
Meet Patrick, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and discussing the experiences of individuals living with HIV. Patrick shared that he has been navigating life with HIV for the…
Daniel
Meet Daniel, a doctor, healthcare professional and student of Sociocultural Anthropology from Venezuela, currently residing in Madrid. Daniel, who lives with HIV, actively pursues his studies and is dedicated to…
Rupert
This week, I met with Dr. Rupert Whitaker, a distinguished British psychiatrist and immunologist, who is one of Europe’s longest-surviving individuals with HIV since his infection in 1981. Tragically, he…
Grzesiek
Meet Grzesiek, a resident of Warsaw with a background in Neuroscience, culminating in a PhD. He is a strategic marketing executive specialising in interventional Cardiology devices for Atrial Fibrillation. In…
Lyn
I had the pleasure of meeting the remarkable Lyn after her night duty shift at a hospital in Manchester. Lyn, a beautiful soul, holds an NHS managerial position as a…
Julian
Born in Brixton in 1955, the remarkable Julian Hows faced early expulsion from school in 1971 due to his advocacy for gay rights. Undeterred, he fled home to join the…
Peter
Peter, a resident of the East Midlands in the UK, has been living with HIV for the past two and a half years. Described as a genuine individual, Peter shares…
Andreea
I met Andreea in Warsaw at the EACS conference in 2023, where she won the second prize at the positive exposition with her photograph called “Life goes on” – a…
Anita
Meet Anita, a captivating woman from Preston, Lancashire, UK, whose life unexpectedly turned in 1995. Following a routine blood donation, she received the life-altering news of her HIV diagnosis. At…
Yvonne
This is Yvonne, a resilient woman who has courageously navigated life with HIV for twenty-five years. Like many others, Yvonne's journey began with the pursuit of love and the dream…
Dylan
Meet Dylan. In 2016, at 19 years old, he was struck by a severe flu, coinciding with rehearsals for a competition he eagerly participated in. However, on the morning of…
Ricardo
Meet Ricardo from Portugal. At the age of 23, he took the courageous step of getting tested for HIV, and unfortunately, the results came back positive. Undeterred, Ricardo promptly engaged…
Paul
Paul Clift's journey as an HIV activist is profoundly personal and driven by compassion. Since the early 1990s, he has tirelessly championed the rights and well-being of those affected by…
Louise
Meet Louise. A London native, she has faced life's challenges with resilience and grace. Happyily married whos partner is negative and a mother of three, Louise's journey with HIV spans…
Nicoletta
Dr Nicoletta Policek, the Chairperson of UK-CAB and the new Executive Director of the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), is a beacon of resilience and advocacy. With 30 years of…
Memory
Introducing Memory, an extraordinary woman originally from Zimbabwe who travelled to London in 2001 to attend a relative's wedding. Shortly after the event, she experienced flu-like symptoms. Following her aunt's…
Uzair
Meet Uzair, a dedicated gym enthusiast from Pakistan. Uzair's life took an unexpected turn following a severe car accident. As a passenger, he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors…
Martin
Meet Martin Roach, a remarkable individual whose journey is a testament to resilience and the power of love and support. Born with Cerebral Palsy in Reading, England, Martin fondly recalls…
Tresca
Meet Tresca Louise Wilson, a remarkable HIV activist and health professional. Originally from Manchester, Tresca's early life was fraught with significant challenges. From the ages of two to nine, she…
Harun
Harun Tulunay, originally from Turkey, is a prominent HIV and sexual health activist. After experiencing anti-LGBT+ hostility and discrimination, he relocated to the United Kingdom in 2015. Diagnosed with HIV…
Mina
Meet Mina, a distinguished figure within the HIV community. She is widely recognised for her multifaceted roles as a well-being coach, mental health and mindfulness trainer, and HIV activist. Living…
Gus
Gus, originally from London, has been living with HIV for the past 40 years. He received a formal AIDS diagnosis in 1990 when his doctor informed him that his CD4…
ELI
Eli Fitzgerald, a trans man living with HIV, embodies resilience and advocacy. Facing medical and social challenges after his diagnosis, Eli encountered a healthcare system often insensitive to transgender needs.…
Eugene
Meet Eugene, originally from Dublin and now based in London, has emerged as a significant figure in the HIV community through his involvement with the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). Diagnosed…
Sebastian
Meet Sebastian, a Romanian individual who has been living with HIV since the age of 16. Over the years, Sebastian has become an inspiration and advocate for many others facing…
Pawel
Paweł Ziemba, widely recognized by his persona Sister Mary Read, is a leading figure in HIV activism in Poland. Through his impactful work with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—a global…
AXEL
Axel Vanderperre: A Distinguished Advocate for Ageing Individuals Living with HIV Axel Vanderperre, based in Brussels, Belgium, has dedicated nearly 35 years of his life to advocating for individuals living…
Rebecca
Rebecca Tallon de Havilland is an inspiring Irish trans woman and a tireless advocate for HIV awareness. Diagnosed with HIV in 1987 during a pre-operative test for her gender affirmation…
Pamela
Pamela Menzies-Banton is a dedicated HIV activist affiliated with Positive East in London. She coordinates the Women4Women (W4W) project, which aims to raise awareness and increase the uptake of pre-exposure…
Brian
Introducing Brian, a dedicated advocate from Edinburgh, Scotland, who has been living with HIV since 1984. Brian West has been an influential member of the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)…
Julianna
At the AIDS 2024 conference, I had the honor of meeting an incredibly strong and brave young lady, Juliana, from South Africa. She approached me and asked if I could…
Bruce
Bruce Richman is a dedicated HIV/AIDS activist and the visionary behind the Prevention Access Campaign, famously known for its "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U) campaign. Diagnosed with HIV in 2003, Bruce…
Karl
Karl Schmid, a well-known Australian television host and reporter for ABC7 in Los Angeles, courageously shared his HIV-positive status with the world in March 2018. In a heartfelt social media…
DAVID
Introducing Dr. David Malebranche, a distinguished physician andpublic health advocate passionately committed to combating HIV/AIDS.Specializing in internal medicine with a focus on HIV prevention andtreatment, Dr. Malebranche has dedicated his…
Akhona
My name is Akhona Ndudane, and I was born in the small town of Mount Frere in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. I reside in Leeds, England, UK, as a refugee.…
Barbara
Barbara Kemigisa is an esteemed Ugandan HIV activist, motivational speaker, and the Executive Director of the Barbara Kemigisa Foundation, headquartered in Hoima Oil City, Uganda. She is widely recognized for…
LeaSuwanna
LeaSuwanna Griffith is an inspirational HIV activist and trainee nurse residing in London. Diagnosed with HIV in 2003 during her second pregnancy, LeaSuwanna has courageously turned her personal experiences into…
Raif
On his 27th birthday, Raif Derrazi received a life-altering diagnosis: HIV. What could have been a moment that shattered his spirit instead became the catalyst for an incredible journey of…
Jesse
Jesse Milan Jr. has distinguished himself through pivotal leadership roles, notably as the President and CEO of AIDS United, a premier organization dedicated to ending the HIV epidemic in the…
Katie
Katie Willingham stands as a dedicated advocate and prominent figure within the HIV and transgender communities. Her journey began with the profound experience of revealing her HIV status—a process marked…
Veronica
Veronica Betani is a remarkable artist from South Africa whose personal journey and artistic contributions have significantly impacted the art world and public health advocacy. A vital member of the…
Shekinah Rose
Shekinah Rose is an inspiring American-Australian trans woman and HIV advocate who has been courageously living with HIV/AIDS for over 39 years. Her extensive involvement in HIV advocacy, caregiving, and…
Burak
Meet Burak. Hailing from Izmir, Turkey, Burak has spent the last decade of his life in Western Europe. His journey with HIV is both poignant and inspiring. Burak was filled…
Isis Magdalena
Andy Tapia, known in the Mexican ballroom community as Isis Magdalena, is a remarkable figure of leadership and advocacy. Since founding the House of Magdalena in 2015, she has been…
Zachary
In February 2023, 20-year-old TikTok influencer Zachary Willmore faced one of the most challenging moments of his life when he was diagnosed with HIV. The diagnosis came as a shock,…
Linda
Linda H. Scruggs, a beacon of hope and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially for women living with the virus, is a testament to resilience. Diagnosed in 1990, Linda…
Aryelle
At AIDS 2024, I had the profound privilege of meeting an extraordinary individual, Aryelle Freeman. In a moment of courage, I approached her to ask if I could photograph her…
Harold
Harold Phillips has an inspiring personal story that reflects his resilience and dedication to advocacy for people living with HIV. Diagnosed with HIV in 2005, Harold's journey has been marked…
Khwezi
Thia Khwezi, a Remarkable Young Woman from Cape Town I had the privilege of meeting Khwezi at the AIDS 2024 conference, where she was introduced to me by her dear…
Jide
Jide Macaulay is a trailblazing theologian and activist whose journey is as inspiring as transformative. Born in London, UK, and now based in Manchester, Jide is not only a revered…
Geldon
Geldon Hoxhaj’s journey is a remarkable testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. As an impassioned activist from Albania, Geldon has emerged as a formidable advocate for…
Olimbi
Olimbi Hoxhaj’s journey is an extraordinary testament to resilience, advocacy, and an unyielding commitment to transforming lives in Albania. As the Executive Director of the Albanian Association of People Living…
Pank
Pank Sethi's journey is one of profound resilience and courage, marked by his unwavering commitment to advocating for those living with HIV. Born in India and raised in London, Pank…
Vanessa
Vanessa Johnson is a powerful advocate and an inspirational figure within the HIV/AIDS community. She has lived with HIV for over three decades and has dedicated her life to raising…
Alberto
Alberto Pereira Jr. is more than just a journalist; he is a powerful storyteller, a fearless advocate, and a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity. As a Black,…
Andrew
Andrew Espinosa’s life is a compelling odyssey defined by courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to living authentically. Diagnosed with HIV at thirty-three years old, Andrew has navigated the complex…
Garry
Garry Brough’s journey with HIV is not just a story of survival—it is a testament to the human spirit's ability to find purpose in adversity. Diagnosed in 1991 at just…
Malcolm
I have written this piece up. Please let me know if you want me to change any details.In 1980, Malcolm moved to Atlanta, driven by an intense desire to explore…
