Charlie Sheen: Commentary from Australian HIV advocates

On 17 November the news broke that actor Charlie Sheen was about to do an interview in which he would disclose that he had HIV. 

On 18 November this rumour was confirmed, with Sheen announcing that he had been living with HIV since 2011, had an undetectable viral load, and had been blackmailed to the tune of millions of dollars by people to whom he’d disclosed.

Social and online media exploded, and concern about the potentially stigmatising impact on people with HIV was uppermost in the minds of HIV advocates around the world. Organisations such as AFAO and our members rapidly put out media statements or circulated information to encourage the media to report sensitively.

On the positive side, the media circus provided an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV and publicise accurate information to counter the decades-old myths that still circulate.

This blog post links to Australian community media and HIV sector responses to Charlie Sheen’s disclosure.

If you have links to other useful Australian stories commenting on Charlie Sheen, please post them in the comments.

HIV video fest

Mini film festivals were a key part of the Community and Advocacy Hubs hosted by AFAO at ASHM’s last two national HIV conferences, and also at AIDS 2014. 

This year, once again, we had an awesome selection of videos from our members and other HIV sector partners, with the videos running on a continuous loop between Hub presentations.

Here’s a selection from the program. There were so many that we can’t share them all, so make sure you click through to the organisations’ channels for more.

Raise your voice against stigma and homophobia

Speaking out against prejudice is a vital step towards changing community attitudes that stigmatise people with HIV and people who are at greater risk of contracting HIV.

When people raise their voices against stigma, it makes it easier for people who have HIV, who are gay, who use drugs, or are sex workers, to access the information, prevention tools, and treatments and care that they need to stay safe and well. Faith leaders play a critical role in the response to HIV through model compassion and supporting evidence-based approaches to HIV prevention and care.

AFAO Hub buzzes at ASHM 2015

The AFAO Community and Advocacy Hub was an exciting and stimulating focal point of the national HIV (ASHM) Conference in Brisbane over 17 and 18 September. 

Hundreds of conference delegates enjoyed a wide range of presentations, Q & A sessions and film screenings.

AFAO's Michael Frommer reports back.

JumpStart: building the capacity of MSM and transgender networks across Asia and the Pacific

The APCOM team, led by Joe and A, present JumpStart
findings to Khun Somchai Promsombat, Executive Director
at the Poz Home Center.

JumpStart is an AFAO/APCOM project, which aims to build the capacity of MSM and transgender national networks to effectively engage with HIV responses in the Greater Mekong and ISEAN sub-regions.

In 2015, JumpStart published a Regional Analysis Report assessing the capacity of regional, sub-regional and national MSM and transgender organisations and networks working across Asia and the Pacific.

Don't leave Indigenous communities behind: Marama Pala closes IAS 2015

Marama Pala, IIWGHA CO-Chair,  at the closing of IAS 2015

AFAO's Ben Wilcock reports back from the closing of IAS 2015.

After summaries of the four main tracks of the conference were presented in the closing session of the #IAS2015 conference, the conference attendees had the honour of being present for an inspiring talk by Marama Pala, Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA).

A Cure For All: 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting

AFAO Health Promotion Officer, Ben Wilcock, reports back on the 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting, held in Vancouver.

On Friday and Saturday (17-18 July), I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting in Vancouver. It was an official event before the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (#IAS2015).

There were a range of issues covered relating to HIV and viral hepatitis co-infections (both hepatitis B and C), with a particular focus on building momentum towards expanding hepatitis C treatment access globally for people co-infected with HIV and viral hepatitis, in the light of the new range of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for hepatitis C now available (though often not yet accessible) and in the pipeline. (See: #ACureForAll for more info).