At a meeting in Oslo, Norway, this week, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé was characteristically frank in his comments prior to viewing my short film, HIV is Not a Crime, and hearing comments from Robert Suttle (who is featured in the film). Sidibé's honesty is one reason why he is so widely respected.
"I was shocked, I am Executive Director (of UNAIDS), I am supposed to be very committed to all the human rights issue and trying to push this agenda... and I'm not even knowing a minimum of those unacceptable things that are happening around me. It was shocking for me and upsetting to hear the stories of Nick and Robert" said Mr. Sidibé.
To see more specifics about what Mr. Sidibé found so shocking, take a look at this except from the HIV is Not a Crime documentary project.
Unfortunately, Mr. Sidibé is far from alone, but perhaps his acknowledgement of his need to learn more about what criminalization means in the lives of people with HIV will prompt others to educate themselves as well. Even those aware of the phenomenon typically have little understanding of the severity of the injustices inflicted on those prosecuted or the devastating effect criminalization has on driving stigma and further transmission of HIV.
SERO Project is my new initiative to combat HIV-related stigma, discrimination and criminalization--including the HIV is Not a Crime documentary--and we are in need of financial support. If you're in a position to help, please go to this link.
If you scroll to the bottom, you'll see the "donate" tab. And if you're not one of the 14,000 people who have already viewed the short film I've already made (which is part of the larger work in progress), you can do so here.
Special thanks to Nick Rhoades and Monique Moree, who also are featured in HIV is Not a Crime, my cousin John Swaner and Broadway Cares, for their ongoing support of my work and to George Ayala and the Global Forum on MSM who helped send me and Robert to the meeting in Oslo. Also to Edwin Bernard (whose blog is required reading for criminalization advocates around the world), Nicholas Feustel (who volunteered as a cameraman and gave me a much-needed lesson in videography), Bret Malone and the Philadelphia Center, in Shreveport, (for initiating advocacy to address criminalization and supporting Robert in this work), Susan Timberlake and Sara Simon of UNAIDS, Leo Herrera/HomoChic (who edited HIV is Not a Crime), James Krellenstein (a research volunteer and my frequent sounding board) and Xavier Morales, who has put up with my criminalization obsession in recent years with unflagging support and grace, including today, when I was absent on Valentine's Day.
There are so many more to whom I am grateful, including a large crew of amazing friends and supporters in Louisiana and Iowa, and various colleagues at GNP+/NA, the Positive Justice Project, POZ Magazine and elsewhere, but I'll get to them in due time. Thanks.
POZ Magazine's founder and advisory editor, executive director of The SERO Project and GNP+/North America co-chair.
Michel Sidibe's disarming admission of ignorance about what he recognizes as "unacceptable things" is also an admission that the Executive Director of UNAIDS has not informed himself sufficiently about very significant day to day hardships faced by people with HIV. What then can one make of his admission that he is "supposed to be very committed to all human rights issues"?
One has to wonder what else Michel Sidibe doesn't know.
After relocating back to my home state of Iowa after 13+ years as a California resident I am apalled at the HIV criminalization legislation on the books in this state. It's absolutely caveman-like and based on unfounded and outdated hysteria. To sum it up, it's illegal to have sex in this state if you are HIV+... disclosure or not. Something has to be done about this injustice. You have my full support as I grow increasingly passionate about advocating for change. Perhaps the media here should give this issue and other important issues affecting human rights and injustice the same amount of air-time and press as they do with the "Butter Cow" at the state fair!!
Way to go, Sean & Robert!!! Great work!
I have been trying to reach people wherever I can. googling for the last hour for hiv support groups. I’m not sure if you want to add this to the NC chapter if there is one, but I want to help/council people where I can. I have been posting this message on support group websites so that I can inspire people where I can. let me know if I can help.
“I've been there, i know what it feels like to be alone, and feel like nobody understands what you're going through. Ive suffered from an illness for two years now that most people think will instantly kill me. But i've never been more healthy.... physically at least. Emotionally, that's the most damaging part of any illness... feeling alone and isolated. I am posting to reach out to anyone and everyone i can, before you get so depressed you cant go on, or feel so low that you isolate yourself, contact me, its my goal to inspire and help everyone i can through talk therapy.
I hope my video reaches you....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj0mpiVMWkM“
Whenever I'm talking to some one "like me," I feel more comfortable.
In Uganda where I'm based,survivors loose their jobs, are discriminated against, harassed and spiritually judged as sinners on pulpits the moment you disclose your status!
There is need to get together for those of us WHO know what it means having "it" in your blood and being subjected to daily doses,(which you take sometimes hiding in a toilet, least a workmate sites you and blows the whistle!)My brother its terrible. the victimization is more painful than the side effects of the drugs I'm taking!!!
Nazi leaders during the Nuremberg Trials in 1945–46 confessed that they did not know about the Jewish holocaust. Did anybody believe them?
Sidibé simply does act to stop the miscarriage of justice against people with HIV. When confronted with the reality, he just pretends that he did not know.