August 2016

Reflections on #AIDS2016: Momentum must continue, the effort must double

As the 2016 International AIDS Conference wrapped up, a renewed energy was surging through the community of Durban. I was impressed that despite a busy whirlwind week, there seemed to be a harmonious synergy of ideas and collaboration on how we can end AIDS. Youth voices and participation are what we need to get us there. On the last day of the conference, as I strolled through the Global Village, passing performer after youth group after radio show after local artisans, a warming feeling filled my heart. It was one of unity and empowerment. Young, HIV-positive adults, ages 16-23 radiated hope and showed the needed momentum to end this epidemic by 2030.


Out of all of the amazing people I had the privilege of meeting, one person in particular stood out. His name is Samuel Maneela from Lesotho. Only 21 years old and quite the powerhouse.  We met when we both participated in a panel hosted by EGPAF to discuss the importance of testing, adherence to treatment and disclosure of status among young people within communities. Samuel spoke eloquently and rose awareness of the main issues and barriers he and others face within his community. What stood out to me was that these issues are no different than those we face here in the US. HIV is still portrayed so negatively around the world, and as a death sentence. We get labeled as having made bad choices in life, despite the fact that most people don’t know our complex and unique stories. As we closed the session and started talking, Samuel and I started throwing around ideas. At the end of the day, we both agreed on something powerful- across the world most people are medicated for something. What makes their pill any different than ours? Absolutely nothing.

It is obvious that stigma, that word that we use so often still lingers around the world when addressing HIV/AIDS. In my opinion, the truth is that stigma exists because of the rhetoric of previous generations and how media has highlighted this issue. Today however, we have the power to change the dialogue and help people understand that people who are HIV-positive, can, in fact, lead healthy, productive lives. Samuel along with so many other amazing peer counselors not only understood this perspective but embody it in the most amazing way. They grew from being shy to being charismatic, from being slightly scared to being highly energized about this idea that we don’t have to hold onto antiquated ideas about stigma – we can choose to let it go and move on to an amazing future that we shape where there are no borders and no boundaries.

As we reflect on the ideas that were shared, at the statistics provided and the relationships built during the conference, we all have to remember that the follow up is most necessary. The momentum must continue, the effort must double, and those that have the power to develop and implement must do so. It is now time for community and industry to grow stronger together. The media must step up and play a role in how we broadcast information and awareness around issues like HIV and others.

The momentum must continue, the effort must double, and those that have the power to develop and implement must do so. Jake Glaser

Most of all, we need to harness the power of influencers – the actors, athletes, musicians, artists and community leaders – they have an amazing opportunity directly in front of them. They can help change the world- literally.

We need action. Thank you to Samuel and so many others alongside EGPAF, actively working to see the change we need. It is a new age and a new day, a day that is the beginning of the end of AIDS.

Created by:

Jake Glaser, EGPAF Ambassador

Topics:

General