HIV advocates fight social stigma at International AIDS Conference

Advocates are working to combat the social stigma surrounding HIV, highlighted during the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro. Former Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who announced his HIV-positive status in 2019, is participating in the ‘Tackle HIV’ campaign to share knowledge and reduce fear associated with the virus.

Welton Gabriel, an activist from São Paulo, shared his personal struggle with the virus and the discrimination he faced. Gabriel recounted how friends cut contact with him after learning of his status. He also detailed his medical battle with a treatment-resistant strain of HIV, which required seven months of medical intervention to bring under control.