It is important to show your face as an HIV-positive person. Our role models Thilo and Marcel are currently experiencing this at the International AIDS Conference in Washington. There they talk about their work at ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU and explain the campaign's approach to interested parties.
On Tuesday, they answered questions in the European Networking Zone about their commitment and their lives as openly HIV-positive gay men. The reactions from the audience were admiring and encouraging. "We are very touched by how openly you can talk about how you deal with the infection. We would like to see campaigns like this in our country too," said one American participant, summarising the exchange. Openly coming out as positive, showing your face in public and talking about how you deal with your sexuality is still not a matter of course today and is unthinkable in many countries.
"The Americans in particular are very impressed by the openness with which we talk about our infection and our sexuality. Unimaginable in most states in the USA," reports Thilo.
Tilo is also impressed by how much is going on in the Global Village, where projects, campaigns and activists present themselves.
On Wednesday, at the stand of Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe and ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU, the topic "HIV+ - Discrimination kills!" took centre stage. "Your Freedom of Choice" campaign moved to the centre of attention. HIV-positive people around the world are still excluded and discriminated against because of their illness. Even in the world of work, HIV is still a topic that many people prefer not to talk about for fear of being bullied.
Thilo, who worked as a confectioner in Berlin for several years, answered questions from many visitors about HIV and work in his baker's uniform (here you can find exciting information on the topic..).
The discussions were intensive and there was a lot of positive feedback for the I KNOW WHAT I DO campaign.
Getting these reactions was very important for Thilo, who wants to use his story to inform and help. But he also has very personal reasons for dealing with his HIV infection: "Talking about my infection makes me stronger and helps me personally."
