On 1 December the HIV epidemic will get 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 Jacobs 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,” he said.
“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.”
In 2012 Jacobs was selected by the NGO, Positive Heroes, as their first Positive Hero.
This inspired him to create Change the Stigma Project with the mission of searching for more positive role models.
“This is not a beauty pageant,” said Jacobs.
“It is the exact opposite.
“It’s 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.”
Trevor Kleinhans, 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 one’s 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 it’s head.
“To see a person full of vitality openly sharing their story, for someone afraid of the judgment of friends, family and the public, is quite simply life changing.”
Beginning on World Aids Day (1 December 2014), contestants will be able to enter the search by visiting www.changethestigmaproject.com
Once finalists have been selected (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 for them, in this way dynamically addressing 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.
“Stigma and discrimination has helped the spread of HIV,” said Jacobs.
“It’s made people afraid to test and prevented often the most vulnerable from getting care.
“It’s time that the human progress in how we handle HIV/AIDS in our community begins to match the advances being made in the research lab.
“Our message is simple. Do you have the courage to be South Africa‟s Next Positive Hero?”
