Name: How to tackle the stigma of living with HIV
Uploaded: 2022-12-01T15:38:32Z
Duration: 10 min 30 s
Description: After his HIV diagnosis, former pro rugby player Gareth Thomas set out on a mission to tackle the stigma and shame that prevent people from getting the testing and care they need. In this empowering talk, Thomas shares his mission to demystify and redefine what it means to live with HIV -- and shares how each of us can normalize conversations around all vilified conditions.

After his HIV diagnosis, former pro rugby player Gareth Thomas set out on a mission to tackle the stigma and shame that prevent people from getting the testing and care they need. In this empowering talk, Thomas shares his mission to demystify and redefine what it means to live with HIV -- and shares how each of us can normalize conversations around all vilified conditions.

Former pro rugby player, stigma challenger

Medical advances have made living with HIV manageable, yet outdated fears and shame still keep too many from seeking help. In the 1980s, HIV was labeled a death sentence, but today one daily pill can make the virus undetectable and untransmittable. Stigma persists, causing isolation and slowing progress toward ending the epidemic. Changing attitudes and normalizing conversations are crucial steps in breaking down these barriers.