My lovely people,
Nelson Mandela once said "A winner is a dreamer who never gives up". I continue to dream of a World free of Stigma and I know that soon this dream will come true for me to be a winner. But I am not the only one having this dream as we all know that HIV stigma and discrimination are global issues, so we need to continue joining our forces as much as we can.
Last year when visiting my HIV allies in South Korea I realized that HIV stigma is still very high in South Korea, so even today you will hardly see people open about HIV. Luckily, grassroots organizations are working really hard to fight HIV stigma and discrimination. I am happy to be connected to them and support them in whatever way I can.
There are many ways to convey a positive image of people living with HIV, one of them is Stories of Hope. What started as a small local initiative has now grown into a platform of global Heroes of hope who are eager to share their superpowers that helped them to break HIV stigma. Thanks to the digital world, I was happy to connect with a Korean HIV artivist, Zang Choi who is our newest Hero of Hope!
Zang Choi is living positively and uses their visual arts to create a space that encourages young people to discuss really important issues related to HIV and the LGBTQIA+ community in Korea. Through their HIV artivism, Zang Choi is truly committed to bring much needed change to break HIV stigma in Korea. Read Zang Choi's story here!
HIV artivism is a beautiful tool to use to bring awareness about HIV and break the stigma. I am so happy to be connected to Zang Choi and so many others who fight HIV stigma using HIV artivism. Those that know me, are also well aware that there are so many ways how HIV artivism can reach parts of the HIV community, including young people of the LGBTQIA+ community, that are hard to reach through conventional approaches. We have to use all approaches available to break HIV stigma!
I am proud to contribute to HIV artivism through Eric the Dragking or interactive story telling such as Urugendo (A HIV journey). I am always happy to connect and explore with you how we can increase the impact of HIV artivism around the world!
Remember, we cannot achieve my dream of a World free of HIV stigma alone, we need to join our hands and passion for arts as much as we can worldwide.
I am proud that that Zang choi is joining our Community of Heroes of Hope. Thank you very much! 매우 감사합니다
Share your talent to break HIV stigma!
Peace,
Eliane
This blog was originally posted on hivstigmafighter
