In 2006, a group of gay HIV-positive people decided that it was time for a separate department within the "HIV Vereniging Nederland" (HVN - HIV Association Netherlands). They feared that specific questions and concerns of gays with HIV would otherwise fall by the wayside. The self-help group Poz&Proud was founded to counteract the stigmatisation of HIV-positive gays - not only in their own community. (Original Dutch text by Joep Heldoorn)
Leo Schenk, a member of the HVN board at the time, took the initiative and published an appeal in the club magazine. Twelve men met on 26 April 2006, and not much later the first T-shirts with the text 'Poz&Proud' appeared on the Amsterdam gay scene. The men are self-confident and determined to be visible as gay men with HIV in order to fight against discrimination and stigmatisation of people with HIV.
Poz&Proud caused controversy almost right from the start. Both inside and outside the HVN, people are not used to the self-confident and self-assured demeanour of the group. The men argue in favour of serosorting - sex with partners who have the same HIV status. This is followed by the idea of organising sex parties for gay men with HIV. Many outside the group see this as a call for unprotected sex and heated discussions ensue. The new section is almost banned from the HVN.
The dust has barely settled when there is another major uproar: it emerges that men in Groningen have been taking chems against their will during private sex parties - which had no connection to Poz&Proud - and have been infected with HIV. In the national media, Poz&Proud is linked to this 'sex scandal'. Political debates ensued and for a while it looked as if the funding for the HVN would be withdrawn. Although it was eventually established that Poz&Proud had nothing to do with the case, the image of the group and that of the HVN was severely damaged. Only much later, after all parties had licked their wounds and trust had been restored, did other organisations and associations begin to adopt Poz&Proud's insights.
Knowledge creates strength
At 34, the articulate Jörgen Moorlag is one of the youngest core group members of Poz&Proud. He says that the relationship with the HVN board and others who are professionally involved with HIV is great these days. "Both within the HVN and out there, I regularly have the opportunity to present our views on HIV and HIV prevention. For example, it's about PrEP ("pre-risk aftercare") and Hepatitis C. We not only inform our target group about this, but also ensure that our information is discussed by external organisations and associations and by the media."
Jörgen explains that information and education make those affected stronger. "A good example is AIN screening. This involves testing homosexual men for precursors of anal cancer. Poz&Proud has campaigned for this. By providing clear information about AIN, we want to make gay men strong enough to decide in favour of screening and possible treatment themselves. This is only possible on the basis of correct, comprehensive information. We provide this online, but we also organise evening events about the joys and sorrows of anus under the title "Tunnel of love."
"The social function is just as important as it was ten years ago"
Like Jörgen, Toralt Deinum (52) is also a member of the Poz&Proud core group. One of their tasks is to coordinate all activities. In addition to the core group, which consists of four people, around 25 volunteers also work for the group. "I was tested HIV-positive in 2008. When I signed up as a member of Poz&Proud two years later, I immediately felt at home there." Toralt points out that the social function of the meetings is just as important as it was ten years ago. "We want it to feel like coming home for men with HIV." Surveys among Poz&Proud's target group have shown that there is a great need among homosexuals with HIV to meet other people affected by the disease. Toralt explains that the monthly Chat&Drinks@4 (CD4) meetings in the Amsterdam gay pub Prik offer an excellent opportunity for this. "The atmosphere is informal and the pub is also open to other visitors as normal during the meetings. The hosts of CD4 can be recognised by their red T-shirts that say Poz&Proud on them. So we kill two birds with one stone. We are easy to recognise for new visitors and we show other pub visitors what HIV looks like in 2016."
An event with a more accessible character is Mankracht - the annual weekend in Orvelte (in the Dutch province of Drenthe). Toralt explains that it is precisely the seclusion of such a weekend that can provide great added value. "Mankracht is not just for men who have recently received their positive test result. Men who have known their status for some time also sign up and are very welcome. Being together all weekend creates an atmosphere of security. In a situation like this, you get to know people in a completely different way than in a pub or anywhere else.
A Pride without HIV-positive people - unthinkable
Poz&Proud took part in Canal Pride at Amsterdam Pride again this year. Not only is it a great outing, but it's also really important for all men with HIV, says Toralt: "Our participation means psychological support for all gay men with HIV. Some may not yet be ready to go, but in any case they see that being open about HIV doesn't have to be a problem." A lottery process ensured the group's participation this year. However, Jörgen also says that "I would find a Canal Pride without self-confident gay men with HIV impossible. Just like the leather men from Mr B and the drag queens, HIV-positive men should be able to show themselves confidently on a day like this."
