In collaboration with six activists, the HSE has launched ‘You, Me and HIV,’ a powerful new campaign aiming to address misconceptions and combat HIV-related stigma in Ireland. As part of the campaign, people living with HIV and their loved ones, including Poz Vibe’s Veda and Robbie Lawlor, shared their stories and how their diagnoses impact them today.

Despite advances in HIV treatment, misconceptions and gaps in knowledge persist today, contributing to stigma and prejudice. This negatively impacts the lives of people living with HIV, often discouraging them from testing and accessing effective treatment.

Research on the topic has found that late diagnoses are often linked to fear, highlighting the need to combat stigma and misinformation. According to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), in 2023, there has been a decrease in the rate of first-time HIV diagnoses. However, 39% of these people were diagnosed late.

With the ‘You, Me and HIV’ campaign, the HSE aims to tackle misconceptions and encourage people all over Ireland to get tested and access essential care. Starting on January 14, the campaign will roll out a series of testimonies from HIV activists living in Ireland.

Poz Vibe hosts Enda McGrattan, also known as drag legend Veda Lady, and Robbie Lawlor have partnered with the HSE for the campaign, continuing the incredible work they do in fighting stigma in the country. Discussing why it’s important to change people’s perspective on HIV, Veda said: “We need to bring healing to the community, honour our past by ending HIV stigma and also ending HIV.

“Our main message is the scientific fact that once on effective treatment we can’t pass HIV on,” Veda continued. “We still need to get that message out, loud and clear to the general public but I think things are finally changing in Ireland, and I feel honoured to be a part of that movement.”

 

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

 

Un post condiviso da Sexual Wellbeing (@hserespectprotect)

Robbie further explained, “We have partnered with the HSE to let everyone know there is nothing shameful about living with HIV. Like anyone else, with effective treatment, we can live long, happy lives and there is zero chance that we can pass on HIV to our sexual partners.”

As the campaign highlights, people living with HIV who are on effective treatment:

• cannot pass HIV to sexual partners due to the fact that the viral load is so low that it is not detected in their blood (often referred to as ‘undetectable’ equals ‘untransmittable’ (U=U));
• can have healthy pregnancies and go on to deliver healthy babies without passing on the virus;
• will not develop AIDS-related illnesses, as HIV and AIDS are not the same thing;
• can go on to live a long, and healthy life.

A recent survey has shown that 71% of Irish adults were unaware of such advances in treatment, showing how misinformation is still rampant in the country. To tackle such misinformation and educate people on HIV, the campaign will also share the experiences of people living with HIV and their loved ones.

 

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

 

Un post condiviso da Veda Lady (@vedalady)

In an open discussion with her father Pat Commins, Galway nurse and HIV activist Aoife Commins recounted memories of getting her HIV diagnosis. “The worst part of the diagnosis wasn’t actually being told I had HIV, because I knew I was going to be ok, and live a normal, healthy life,” Aoife said. “I think the hardest part was the stigma.”

Pat added, “It was really reassuring to hear that Aoife with the medication, could go on and live a long life and have her own family too. If I could change one thing in Ireland it would be to increase public awareness and understanding of HIV.”

Ainara Pedroso and her husband Peter Thijs, who live in Cork and are celebrating their seventh anniversary together this year, shared the story of how they fell in love just a few months after Ainara got her diagnosis.

“There are many people out there from all backgrounds and genders with HIV living a normal life,” Ainara said. “You can have an absolutely normal life, you can go on to find love, the right partner who loves and understands. You can go on to have children without the fear of the virus passing on to them.”

Peter commented, “Growing up in Belgium and the Netherlands there was a lot of education and awareness around HIV. I knew there was no danger of transmission of the virus once you were on effective treatment.

“Ainara invited me to one of her medical appointments, although I was already informed, I said it was no harm to go and ask any questions,” he continued. “It really takes less than a minute of talking with someone who knows about HIV, or to find the evidence based information, to clear up any doubts or concerns you might have living as partners.”

For more information on the ‘You, Me and HIV’ campaign, click here. For more information on HIV, how to get tested and effective treatment, visit the HSE website.