An HIV shot of hope
Already having lived with the HIV virus for nine years, he made the bold move to disclose his status publicly, the first time any finalist had done so, and challenge the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids head-on.
During December the HIV epidemic gets a massive shot of hope with the launch of the Search for the Next Positive Hero SA, an initiative of the Change the Stigma Project, spearheaded by Charles Jacobs and supported by Trevor Kleinhans.
In 2011, Charles was nominated as a finalist in the Mr Gay South Africa competition, and made history by taking a courageous step.
Already having lived with the HIV virus for nine years, he made the bold move to disclose his status publicly, the first time any finalist had done so, and challenge the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids head-on.
“People living with HIV often say the stigma they encounter is worse than the disease itself,” said Charles.
“That stigma is exactly what prolongs the journey from denial to acceptance for anyone who is HIV positive, and is what we aim to change with the search,” he said.
In 2012, Charles was selected by the NGO, Positive Heroes, as its first Positive Hero.
This inspired him to create the Change the Stigma Project, with the mission of searching for more positive role models.
“This is not a beauty pageant. It is the exact opposite. It is about sharing your journey that will help others accept who they are. It is about moving away from feeding HIV with fear, and filling it with hope instead,” said Charles.
Trevor, the internationally recognised author of Secrets Make You Sick, joins the search in a patron role.
Using his wide public speaking and press experience on the subjects of HIV, gay rights, sexual abuse and drug abuse, he will help spread the message of hope.
“Disclosing your HIV-positive status is an immensely powerful act,” he said.
“In one moment it takes everything negative that society assumes about the disease and turns it on its head. To see a person full of vitality openly sharing their story, for someone afraid of the judgement of friends, family and the public, is quite simply life changing,” said Trevor.
Having started on World Aids Day, December 1, contestants will be able to enter the search by visiting www.changethestigmaproject.com
Once finalists have been selected by March 2015, the public will be able to vote for their favourite Positive Hero. It is there that the journey begins.
Positive Hero finalists will share their personal HIV journey via a self-made video.
They will then select their own South African HIV charity or NPO and create an awareness and fundraising project and thus address misconceptions about people living with HIV.
Various prizes are on offer for top placing participants. The new Positive Hero will receive a full life coaching course from New Insights Africa valued at R18 000, empowering him or her to continue to change lives, and spread the message of hope.
