Since finding out I have HIV I have learnt so much about the virus and about how it affects people living with it. HIV is still misunderstood and because of that stigma still exists. I have heard first hand stories of how deeply this stigma and self-stigma affects people living with HIV and I am determined to change this.
That’s why I have started the Tackle HIV campaign. We need to educate people about HIV, we need to correct the myths that exist around it once and for all and we need to break the stigma that surrounds HIV. HIV stigma can have a negative impact on people living with HIV and we can only change this if people know the facts. I am living with HIV and I am living a full and normal life. I am taking HIV treatment which is working. As such I cannot pass HIV onto my partner. Science and medicine are so advanced but public awareness and attitudes lag behind. I am choosing to Tackle HIV, for myself and everyone living with HIV.
Tackle HIV is a new public awareness and education initiative, led by Gareth Thomas in partnership with ViiV Healthcare and Terrence Higgins Trust. The campaign aims to change public perceptions and tackle misunderstanding and stigma related to HIV. The campaign is funded by ViiV Healthcare.
Tackle HIV will:
Tackle misunderstanding of HIV through public education activities
Tackle the stigma around HIV through creating dialogue around HIV and normalising HIV testing
Without addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the world will not achieve the goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.1
About Tackle HIV
Tackle HIV has been created by Gareth Thomas and ViiV Healthcare, with the support of our charity partner the Terrence Higgins Trust. Tackle HIV aims to correct misunderstanding, change attitudes and break stigma to ultimately make a difference for people living with HIV and people affected by HIV. Anyone can be affected by HIV and Gareth Thomas and Tackle HIV want to change misunderstanding and stigma for good. Throughout this year and beyond we will be working on initiatives that do just that and we need your help. Follow us on social media to find out what’s coming next and get involved.
Our supporters
Tackle HIV is supported by advocacy groups and individuals who share the same passion and objective as us; to stop the stigma that surrounds HIV.
Terrence Higgins Trust | National AIDS Trust | Elton John AIDS Foundation
Tackle HIV in action
Tackle HIV Myth Bus Tour at Rugby World Cup France 2023
In September 2023, Tackle HIV embarked on a Myth Bus Tour through France during the Rugby World Cup, and later visited Nottingham University, to address misunderstandings about HIV in the public and media and ultimately challenge the stigma that still surrounds HIV. Gareth was joined by partners from ViiV and French advocacy group AIDES to engage with rugby fans and members of the public at the rugby villages in Paris, Toulouse, and Nice, providing information about HIV and encouraging support among the international sports community.
Tackle HIV also held media events with key leadership figures, including the CEO of World Rugby and deputy mayors of Paris and Nice, to amplify our advocacy efforts and help reshape public opinion on HIV. At the University of Nottingham, together with our charity partner Terrence Higgins Trust, Gareth met with students to understand their perspectives on HIV and raise awareness about the importance of testing and inclusivity among younger generations.
3 Peaks Challenge 2023
In June 2023, Tackle HIV took on the 3 Peaks Challenge to demonstrate that HIV is not a barrier to achievement, increase public awareness around HIV stigma, and raise funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Gareth was joined by Welsh rugby union player Shane Williams, TV presenter Melinda Messenger, actor and HIV activist Nathaniel Hall, and a team of Tackle HIV supporters in climbing the three highest peaks of Wales, England, and Scotland.
Cardiff Half Marathon 2022
In October 2022, Team Tackle HIV gathered together again for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The incredible team were raising awareness and understanding of HIV to help reduce the stigma that still surrounds it.
They were also running to raise funds for our charity partner, Terrence Higgins Trust.
We are so proud of the whole team coming together, running in their Tackle HIV running shirts and smashing the half marathon.
Sex of our Nations
On the 3rd March 2022, Tackle HIV launched the ‘Sex of our Nations’ report, looking at attitudes to sexuality, sexual health and HIV across the six nations involved in the Six Nations rugby tournament, with perspectives from people living with HIV, healthcare professionals, HIV advocates and support from the rugby community..
You can find the summary of these finding here
Royal Parks Half Marathon 2021
In October 2021, Gareth Thomas ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon with a team of campaign supporters, some of whom are HIV positive, to raise awareness and understanding and to help address the stigma that continues to exist with HIV, along with raising funds for our charity partner the Terrence Higgins Trust. Gareth and the team wanted to demonstrate that living with HIV is not a barrier to achieving anything.
Sport for Change
In June 2021, ahead of the British and Irish Lions Tour in South Africa we held a media event discussing the power that sport has to improve lives and bring about social change. Gareth Thomas was joined by Nolli Waterman, former England Rugby international and World Cup Winner, Bryan Habana, Springboks legend and World Cup Winner and Craig Doyle to discus the impact that sport can have on individuals, communities and society.
Tackle HIV Myth Bus Tour at Rugby World Cup France 2023
In September 2023, Tackle HIV embarked on a Myth Bus Tour through France during the Rugby World Cup, and later visited Nottingham University, to address misunderstandings about HIV in the public and media and ultimately challenge the stigma that still surrounds HIV. Gareth was joined by partners from ViiV and French advocacy group AIDES to engage with rugby fans and members of the public at the rugby villages in Paris, Toulouse, and Nice, providing information about HIV and encouraging support among the international sports community.
Tackle HIV also held media events with key leadership figures, including the CEO of World Rugby and deputy mayors of Paris and Nice, to amplify our advocacy efforts and help reshape public opinion on HIV. At the University of Nottingham, together with our charity partner Terrence Higgins Trust, Gareth met with students to understand their perspectives on HIV and raise awareness about the importance of testing and inclusivity among younger generations.
3 Peaks Challenge 2023
In June 2023, Tackle HIV took on the 3 Peaks Challenge to demonstrate that HIV is not a barrier to achievement, increase public awareness around HIV stigma, and raise funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Gareth was joined by Welsh rugby union player Shane Williams, TV presenter Melinda Messenger, actor and HIV activist Nathaniel Hall, and a team of Tackle HIV supporters in climbing the three highest peaks of Wales, England, and Scotland.
Cardiff Half Marathon 2022
In October 2022, Team Tackle HIV gathered together again for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The incredible team were raising awareness and understanding of HIV to help reduce the stigma that still surrounds it.
They were also running to raise funds for our charity partner, Terrence Higgins Trust.
We are so proud of the whole team coming together, running in their Tackle HIV running shirts and smashing the half marathon.
Sex of our Nations
On the 3rd March 2022, Tackle HIV launched the ‘Sex of our Nations’ report, looking at attitudes to sexuality, sexual health and HIV across the six nations involved in the Six Nations rugby tournament, with perspectives from people living with HIV, healthcare professionals, HIV advocates and support from the rugby community..
You can find the summary of these finding here
Royal Parks Half Marathon 2021
In October 2021, Gareth Thomas ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon with a team of campaign supporters, some of whom are HIV positive, to raise awareness and understanding and to help address the stigma that continues to exist with HIV, along with raising funds for our charity partner the Terrence Higgins Trust. Gareth and the team wanted to demonstrate that living with HIV is not a barrier to achieving anything.
Sport for Change
In June 2021, ahead of the British and Irish Lions Tour in South Africa we held a media event discussing the power that sport has to improve lives and bring about social change. Gareth Thomas was joined by Nolli Waterman, former England Rugby international and World Cup Winner, Bryan Habana, Springboks legend and World Cup Winner and Craig Doyle to discus the impact that sport can have on individuals, communities and society.
ABOUT ViiV HEALTHCARE
ViiV Healthcare is 100% dedicated to HIV medicines and research and completely focused on people affected by HIV/AIDS. Born out of a partnership between GSK and Pfizer in 2009, with Shionogi joining in 2012, ViiV Healthcare is determined to help end the HIV epidemic. ViiV’s one focused goal unites its 1100 employees located across over 20 countries, with their expertise in research, manufacturing, policy and more, all guided by ViiV’s mission to be here until HIV isn’t. ViiV Healthcare is committed to providing innovative medicines for people living with HIV globally – focused on finding new medicines to improve outcomes for those living with HIV and to further understand how to prevent and treat the disease. Working with NGOs, HCPs, regulatory authorities, HIV clinics and the wider medical community to help ensure people living with HIV get the most effective care globally. Partnering with communities, NGOs and patient groups across the world to fight HIV stigma and support people living with HIV.
If you would like further information on how ViiV Healthcare process your personal information please see here.
References
- Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination. 2018. https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/global-partnership-hiv-stigma-discrimination_en.pdf. Last accessed March 2020