dragactivist – HIV stigmafighter

My lovely people, have you ever witnessed the moment a dreamer finally becomes a doer? That is what my story of today is about.

Since childhood, I expressed myself through every art form I could find. By dancing the traditional Umuyebe (a dance intended for Burundian men), drumming in a boys’ groups, or any other way. People told me I was “crazy”, doing things meant only for boys. But my inner voice told me, “Be happy, Eric”. I just could not see any barrier when it came to art!

Thanks to my parents and my school, I was allowed to be myself. So, every time Eliane performed, Eric felt alive too. Even as a child, I knew one day I would show Eric to the world.

When I attended Lycée Étoiles des Montagnes in Jenda village, I joined theatre and played a male role, a chef cook, and I shined! Later, while working at Musée Vivant in 2000, I met a man selling an Indonongo instrument I asked him to teach me to play it. I asked myself: Why don’t girls play this instrument? I knew many female artists, but they only sang, none of them played a traditional instrument like the drums or Indonongo.

When I started performing my Indonongo, compliments were few and insults were many. But the more people tried to stop me, the more determined I became. Eventually, they stopped talking, and I kept playing. I became the first Burundian woman known for performing the cowhorn instrument.

When I moved to the Netherlands, I became known as an African woman teaching African culture. I played mothers on stage, performed Indonongo, and carried my heritage with pride.

But my dream did not end there. As a dreamer and doer, I wanted to keep my promise to Eric and show him to the world. Not just for fun, but with purpose. I wanted Eric to help me fight HIV stigma, break taboos, and raise awareness.

In the beginning Eric was making a lot of noise, stomping HIV stigma away, and then I realised that he could do so much more. So I asked myself, “What if I played the Indonongo as Eric?”, “What if I sang too?”. And wouldn’t it be nice to be the first Burundian Drag King living openly with HIV and performing a traditional cowhorn instrument? Really, how many artists are out there who combine all these talents and share this with the world? Allow me to brag, I worked hard for it!

And that is who I became. Unique, unstoppable, and proud.

Thanks to Girls Won’t Be Girls / Boys Won’t Be Boys, I now tour theatres in the Netherlands, sharing my story and my culture.

Performing as Eric feels like bringing my entire life on stage. My childhood memories, my parents’ encouragement, the journey of Eliane and Eric growing together. I share the hardship, my HIV diagnosis, the moments of darkness, the joy of sharing my status, and the victory of choosing life.

When I ask the audience at my show to repeat…

I am strong like Eric!

I am lovely like Eric!

I embrace who I am!

I never give up!

…it is because someone in that room is fighting their own battle, just like Eric did. Those words are for them.

Allow me, with all my heart, to offer my deepest thanks to Rikkert van Huisstede, Artistic Director of Boys Won’t Be Boys, for believing in my story and recognising its impact. And to the entire BWBB and GWBG community, thank you for your support. Together, we break stereotypes and taboos.

And to all these girls with beautiful dreams in my home village of Murira, Burundi, and beyond I want to tell you that the world is changing. You no longer have to wait for men to decide what you can or cannot do. Look around, find your role model, your inspiration. They will show you what is possible. They make your dreams feel real. And if you can dream it, you can do it.

My lovely community, our work is not done.

We are strong, smart, and resilient.

We will keep showing the world our worth.

Peace,

Eliane (Eric)

I was honoured to be selected by IAS to participate at the 24^th International AIDS Conference. AIDS2022 took in place in Montreal between 27 July and 2 August.

Let me first of all state that everyone, including me, was so disappointed that so many participants where denied visa by the Canadian Government. I was looking forwards to meet Delegates from Burundi and other parts of Africa, butso many did not make it in the end. If Governments continue to exclude delegates from countries where the pandemic hits hardest, how will we end HIV in 2030?

Now on to my time at AIDS2022. I kicked off strong right away! On the 27th of July I was a speaker on the 9^th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV and AIDS. I was humbled to share the experiences of the indigenous (Batwa) community of Burundi. To me it is clear – all over the World indigenous people are still facing inequalities, leading to relatively higher numbers of indigenous people affected by HIV and AIDS whilst also facing reduced access to HIV education and care givers. We cannot end HIV and AIDS when we leave indigenous people behind!

Panel member of the Indigenous pre-conference

There is still much so much to do around education, awareness raising, access to health campaigns for the indigenous community. This is true at least for my home country Burundi, hence also my commitment to breaking this trend. This event gave me refreshing insights into working with indigenous people to address HIV/ AIDS and other pandemics, and planted the seeds for new partnerships in Burundi and elsewhere.

Together with Karl Schmid from +life at the U=U Summit

My second major activity was to participate in the U=U Summit on the 28th of July where I was able to meet many of my fellow activists after so many years only communicating online. Did you know that there are still a lot of countries that are not endorsing U=U? This despite knowing that U=U is an immediate and effective response to destroy HIV Stigma which is still a public health emergency. Again we have to keep on investing in finding the right ways to break HIV stigma!

Ready for action! The Stories of Hope stand at the Global Village

Which brings me to Stories of Hope! The main reason to be on this conference was to share my project through a 3-days exhibition at the Global Village from 29 July to 2 August . As many of you already know, Stories of hope is an initiative where people living with HIV share their talents to break HIV stigma. The launch of Stories of Hope in 2021 was supported by EATG, and the exhibition was proudly supported by HIV vereniging through sponsoring of beautiful materials and hand-outs. Organising an exhibitions at the Global village, allowing me to meet so many activists, artists and conference participants gave me a such positive energy! I am so proud that Stories of hope has reached so many global delegates and that Stories of Hope unites us in breaking HIV stigma by sharing our talent.

Interacting with global delegates during the 3 days exhibition

There were so many amazing side events to still do around the conference. Just to highlight a few: I participated at the famous AIDS Conference party called “No pants, no Problem” where I performed as Eric the Drag King and performed a dance called “Flush out HIV stigma”. We actually managed to raise 12,000 Canadian Dollars during the event in support of HIV+ women. Eric the Drag King is another me you did not know about, right? Again another great way to share my talent to break HIV stigma.

Eric the Drag King at No pants, no problem

I am very thankful to be part of AIDS2022. I want to extend a personal thank you to the Heroes of Hope who shared their stories during the conference; Adam, Matthew, Gloria and Faustine. And I know there are still more Stories of Hope to come from other people I met at AIDS2022. Keep an eye on Stories of Hope for more interviews and portraits!

Share talent, break HIV stigma!

Peace,

Eliane