ericthedragking – HIV stigmafighter

Dear HIV community, how have you been?

I was honoured to speak at the second European LGBTQI+ Health Conference in Brussels—a vibrant gathering of activists, healthcare professionals, researchers, community organizations, and affected individuals from across Europe. The event was filled with incredible discussions, inspiring stories, and groundbreaking initiatives. Here are some impressions, hope you like them!

Addressing stigma through community-led harm reduction initiatives

During this session, my contribution focused on broad spectrum harm reduction Initiatives in the LGBTQI+ context. I shared my personal journey overcoming HIV stigma, highlighting how our talents may transform us into community icons. As one of the initiators of local grassroots initiatives driven by migrants living with HIV, I spoke about the impact of sharing lived experiences and empowering local HIV communities. I also shared my experience as a PrEP advocate and volunteer, working with local organizations such as PrEPNu to ensure access to PrEP as an essential preventive tool.

We also heard from Ismal from AIDS Action Europe, who discussed harm reduction in the chemsex context. Their organization provides training manuals and best practice guidelines for delivering health services tailored to chemsex users. They conduct trainer workshops, facilitate knowledge exchanges, and offer grants for translations and webinars, ensuring widespread accessibility of resources.

Another inspiring initiative came from Osmely José of Accion Triangulo, who uses art and cinema as educational tools through Pride Positivo. Their film screenings actively combat stigma, and they’ve developed an innovative concept—the PAE pill—as a symbol of HIV destigmatization, based on real-life experiences of stigma in healthcare and community settings.

PrEP access & prevention strategies

One of the most crucial discussions revolved around PrEP accessibility. As a volunteer at PrEPnu, I shared our digital outreach strategies, which allow people to access services through PrEPNu’s online platform. Additionally, our outreach teams engage with the LGBTQI+ community at festivals, pride walks, workshops, parties, saunas, and health clinics, ensuring widespread awareness. Unfortunately, PrEP is currently only available at a cost (+/- 30 euros per month) in the Netherlands, which remains a significant barrier.

Other European organizations shared their approaches:

Romania: Mihai from Checkpoint ARAS who opened six PrEP checkpoints under the Checkpoint ARAS Network. These community clinics, situated within hospitals, create safe, non-intimidating environments for key populations. PrEP is also not free in Romania.
Serbia: Duga Association, an LGBTQI+ community-led organization, launched the First Checkpoint offering free HIV testing, doctor consultations, and psychological support. This effort counteracts stigma, geographic barriers, and fragmented services that often discourage people—especially those outside big cities—from seeking care. While PrEP is available in Belgrade pharmacies, it costs €43 per month, making accessibility difficult.

Do you remember the Barcelona checkpoints I visited last year? All these initiatives really create a momentum around PrEP in Europe. I sincerely hope that one day we will see these community-led checkpoints in the Netherlands as well, they are really complementary to the great work already done by PrEPNu! So let us keep fighting for PrEP diversity!

HIV dragtivism

Throughout the conference I had already been highlighting how through creative activism, including HIV dragtivism, we are able to challenge political and healthcare perceptions, pushing for inclusive policies.

Somewhat unplanned, but always ready, I was asked to perform as Eric the Dragking. So on the closing night, participants were able to experience Eric the Dragking stomping HIV stigma alongside them—a symbolic and empowering moment that energized many attendees. In fact, numerous organizations expressed enthusiasm about inviting Eric to their countries to further break HIV stigma and raise PrEP awareness!

The urgent need for global action

While UNAIDS and numerous organizations continue advocating to end HIV and AIDS by 2030, the reality remains troubling: prevention tools exist, yet communities still struggle for access due to political hurdles and greedy pharmaceutical interests. Health is a human right, yet so many LGBTQI+ individuals lack the protections they deserve. So is this target still realistic and how will we reach it? I am convinced that conferences such as these contribute by creating the much-needed space for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment. Let’s hope the Netherlands HIV community is listening to their European neighbours!

Let’s hear a few powerful reflections I collected from fellow participants:

> “In times of increasing polarization and prejudice against LGBTQI+ people, institutions, healthcare providers, advocates, and scholars must unite to promote health for all. This conference catalyzed new efforts, bringing together passionate individuals from across Europe and beyond. Let’s work together to foster well-being for everyone!” > — Tabea Hassler, Researcher at the University of Zurich

> “It was incredible to network with so many changemakers improving LGBTQI+ health across Europe. The passion, enthusiasm, and energy of attendees were truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that real action and collaborations will emerge from this event.” > — John Gilmore, University College Dublin

> “The 2nd European Conference on LGBTIQ+ Community Health definitely brought together the best LGBTIQ+ thinkers and practitioners from across Europe at such a crucial time as this, to form new alliances, strengthen our vision, and refine our collective focus.”> —Dr Harvey Kennedy-Pitt

United, we will win this fight

The fight for health equity and LGBTQI+ rights is ongoing—but together, we are strong. Through collaboration, activism, and unwavering determination, we will dismantle barriers and demand accessible, stigma-free healthcare for all.

I urge you to have a look at the manifesto we drafted together during the conference: The manisfesto recognises that LGBTQI+ communities continue to face systemic inequalities, institutional violence, and barriers to essential healthcare. In the manifesto we state that we refuse to accept a system that neglects lived experience, silences community-based knowledge, and denies universal access to care. We demand the recognition of peer support as legitimate healthcare, PrEP access for all, the integration of LGBTQI+ realities in medical training, structural support for community health centers, and our rightful place in public health decision-making. Justice in healthcare is not optional – it’s a necessity. Stand with us. Sign the manifesto. Be part of the change!

Thanks Stephen Barris from Ex Aequo for organising this wonderful conference and looking forward to the next edition!

Let’s keep pushing forward. We are the working force, and our voices matter.

Peace,

Eliane

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