Invoking faith to fight HIV stigma

Looking back, it’s easy to see that Stepping Up in Faith: the AIDS 2014 Interfaith Pre-Conference (held on 18–19 July) previewed many of the significant topics discussed at AIDS 2014, in particular, stigma, criminalisation, and the need for inclusion and celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversity in faith-based responses to HIV.

For me, the stand out presenters at the pre-conference were those who stressed that faith communities must not only be inclusive and supportive of diversity, but should be advocates for the rights of all vulnerable populations – including  gay men, transgender people and sex workers.

What an AFAO member learned Under the Baobab Tree

The ‘Under the Baobab Tree’ African Diaspora networking zone in the Global Village at AIDS 2014 provided an opportunity for people from the African and Black Diaspora and their colleagues to network, share knowledge, and relax.

The zone was hosted by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) in partnership with the African and Black Diaspora Global Network on HIV and AIDS (ABDGN), and AFAO, with the guidance and support of AFAO’s African Reference Group.

Beth Hodge, Community Development and Advocacy Officer at the WA AIDS Council (WAAC), is a member of the African Reference group and was one of two WA representatives on the African Diaspora Networking Zone working group. We asked Beth to share her thoughts about her experiences under the baobab.