Marking Irish Aids Day and Pride Month, drag icon, entertainer and all-round legend Veda has teamed up with GHN/man2man and Rainbow Project to promote the U=U message and combat HIV stigma.

Their collaboration will include videos which will premiere on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram Reels, and social channels.

U=U is a global campaign to spread awareness about the fact that a person with an undetectable viral load can’t transmit HIV to their sexual partners. U=U stands for ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’. This means that someone on effective treatment who is living with HIV and has an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV to others.

Speaking of the partnership Veda shared, “This collaboration with the HSE and man2man is the first of its kind. I was moved to tears to be the first Person Living With HIV to be featured in a national campaign like this one. The fact that it’s been picked up by the Rainbow Project in the North is just lovely too.

“I’m really proud of it and of Babs Daly, the photographer. We started this HIVIP project in lockdown with no idea that it would lead to an exhibition and to something as gorgeous as this campaign.”

On #IrishAidsDay we are thrilled to announce a partnership with icon, legend and activist @LadyVeda and @TRPNI to promote the important U=U message. #UEqualsU is a game-changer and we are honoured to work with #Veda to reach new audiences with the stigma-busting U=U message.? pic.twitter.com/SfOEZEoz0M

— Man2Man Programme (@Man2ManIreland) June 15, 2022

GHN comms director Pádraig Burke, who manages the man2man program, added, “Veda is beloved in the community, a great role model and leader. She has been tireless in her U=U and HIV stigma activism in person and via her PozVibe podcast with Robbie Lawlor.

“We are delighted and humbled to work with Veda to further push the U=U message on new channels and reach new audiences. We are also delighted to be working with photographer Babs Daly whose incredible collaborations with Veda are what brought us together. It is essential for us to work with artists, to engage people and help us deliver important messages like U=U to the community and wider society.”

John Doherty, Director of Rainbow Project, continued, “We are delighted to be part of this very important project and are very thankful to Veda, Babs and GHN for the opportunity to be part of this campaign. Partnership and collaboration across sectors and communities are key to ensuring the important U=U message reaches as many people as possible.

“Sexual health and addressing the stigma surrounding People Living With HIV is an all-Ireland issue and we will work with our partners to ensure this important message reaches all corners of this island and all its people.”

You can check out Veda’s and Robbie’s PozVibe podcast here.

For sexual health and wellbeing information visit man2man.