Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Episode 1 of HIV Heroes takes us from Northern California to South Africa to Thailand.
July 19 2022 3:26 PM EST
May 26 2023 2:03 PM EST
Episode 1 of HIV Heroes takes us from Northern California to South Africa to Thailand.
We meet Robert Quon, a physician at California’s Permanente Medical Group, who has done 23 of the last 24 AIDS/LifeCycle bike rides from San Francisco to Los Angeles — a 545-mile journey which raises awareness and funds for HIV care, treatment, and prevention. He describes the “ride community as the world as it is supposed to be” with so much to teach the world about resilience, strength, and loss — especially during COVID. In the global HIV response, Quon urges “every single one of us has a part to play.”
In South Africa, nurse Mandisa Nikita Dukashe didn’t let COVID-19 get in the way when she mobilized leaders to form the U=U Africa Coalition in 2020. Now as South Africa’s unofficial spokesperson for U=U, or Undetectable = Untransmittable, she says her work is to show people that “HIV is not a sin.” Dukashe imagines that one day we all will be “living in (an HIV) stigma-free society.”
Dr. Praphan Phanuphak, who diagnosed Thailand’s first three cases of HIV in 1985, describes the stigma experienced by both HIV patients and doctors in Thailand. The patient “was expelled from work and expelled from the apartment that he lived” and doctors were afraid they’d be accused of encouraging “people with HIV to have unsafe sex.” He recognizes, “Nowadays, stigma and discrimination is somewhat improved but still (prevalent) in Thailand.”
Learn more about their stories and others at HIVPlusMag.com/HIVHeroes.
Latest Stories
Sexual assault survivor Stephen Hart uses theater to heal
March 25 2024 5:52 PM
Prohibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Crafting diversity and inclusivity in beauty with Fashion Foundry
March 20 2024 5:27 PM
Vibrant locks rain or shine with The Pride Store's top haircare essentials
March 19 2024 2:13 PM
At risk for syphilis or chlamydia? There’s a PEP for that
March 19 2024 12:04 PM
'Drag Race' star Q shares she's living with HIV
March 18 2024 3:08 PM
Empowering women with Nashelle Jewelry this Women's History Month
March 13 2024 3:05 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
Bloom in your skin with The Pride Store’s skincare essentials
March 12 2024 4:31 PM
Nex Benedict’s tragic death further proves that Oklahoma is not OK
March 12 2024 2:57 PM
Mr. Gay World's Plus cover story: behind the scenes
March 08 2024 4:47 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
HIV+ man banned from jail work program gets last laugh
March 07 2024 4:14 PM
The Werkroom's artistic rebellion transforms pop culture icons into queer fantasies
March 07 2024 2:23 PM