sensoa – HIV stigmafighter

Did you know that 21-27 October is PrEP awareness week? We all know that PrEP is an important way to prevent HIV, but did you know that PrEP is for all ages? Whether you’re younger or older, single or partnered, career-focused or retired, exploring your sexuality, or simply enjoying sexual pleasure – PrEP is for people of all ages and in all phases of life experiences.

Already since 2018 I have been raising awareness on PrEP and advocating for PrEP access as a way to fight HIV. So, let’s celebrate and look back at how I have been able to contribute to improving PrEP access.

Together with BAWA (Burundian Association for Women in Action), we develop and provide PrEP training to vulnerable young women in Burundi.

Community work is important for me. Therefore, as a PrEP Volunteer I support important grassroots organisations such as Sensoa and PrEPNu to amplify their message on PrEP access.

At the global stage I am not afraid to speak out as an HIV activist and advocate for PrEP access. Here I am at the European AIDS conference to speak out on PrEP diversity.

My passion as an artist allows me to reach young people of the queer communitry through my HIV dragtivism. Here you see me on stage at Superball 2024, the biggest dragball of Europe.

Lastly, as a connector I make sure that grassroots organisation such as SHARE Korea are being heard at the global stage and can connect to other HIV community actors and share experiences on PrEP access.

There are so many ways you can contribute to beating HIV in your local community! It is important to keep empowering local communities with knowledge on preventive approaches such as PrEP.

PrEP truly redefines what it means to take ownership of your health. So this week my message is simple – PrEP diversity stands for ensuring that we increase the right to PrEP access for everyone that needs it, no matter what season of life you’re in.

PrEP is essential to end the HIV epidemic. I am proudly contributing to PrEP diversity in my different roles. What have you done to ensure PrEP access in your community?

Peace,

Eliane

My lovely people, in many cities all over the world we celebrate Pride in August. Pride is an important moment for the LGBTQIA+ Community to express themselves.

Thanks to an invitation from Sensoa Belgium, I was happily part of Antwerp Pride and contribute to their campaign Is PrEP iets voor jou? (is PrEP something for you?). A key moment was the parade on the 12^th of August. I found it very inspirational to join the parade and I also learned that still so many people are not aware or don’t even know about PrEP as a way to prevent someone HIV negative from getting HIV.

During Pride, Antwerp transforms into a brave space where everyone can be who they are within a respectful society. This also means having the courage to stand up and act against stigma and discrimination. Therefore, I was very proud to promote PrEP Diversity. As I pointed out, many people, especially women, with a migrant background are still overseen in stigma reduction and prevention efforts and still do not have equal access to PrEP. I am proud that I contributed to making Antwerp an even braver space by demanding PrEp diversity!

During Antwerp Pride I also celebrated many performances of local artists with so many people who truly felt safe to express themselves in this brave space. It fills me with joy to see them join Pride and be themselves because we manage to create this brave space.

Yet, let’s not forget that many cannot be who they are in their homelands. I wish a brave space would exist anywhere in the world, and not only during one week of Pride each year. A brave space should really not be an event like Christmas, where we wait the whole year to celebrate for a few days and then move on again. We should be able to express ourselves every day!

Frederick Douglass once said “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”, and we should work hard with communities, organisations and governments to promote and protect the human rights of all persons, including the LGBTQIA+ community, without stigma and discrimination.

So let us normalise brave spaces, and the easiest way is to start with yourself by creating a space in your heart to accept and respect each and everyone’s choice to be themselves every day of the year!

Can we all be Brave together?

Peace,

Eliane