I am Hans Berlin - HIV-positive, activist, porn actor
Hello Berlin!
I'm Hans Berlin - 53 years old, porn actor, HIV activist - and I've been HIV-positive for 24 years.
And: I am below the detection limit. This means that I cannot transmit HIV.
N=N - not detectable = not transferable!
We can love, kiss, fuck, live - without fear.
And that is an encouraging message!
Living with HIV - without fear, without shame
I am currently travelling queer through the republic with my campaign HANS HELPS and wants to encourage people:
Nowadays you can lead a happy, healthy life with HIV. Because HIV is no longer a death sentence.
But: The stigmatisation is real. Also today. Also here. Also in our queer community.
PRIDE is protest - against shame, against discrimination
PRIDE IS OUR PROTEST - Never be silent again!
We will not be silenced - not as queers, and not as HIV-positive people.
Our rights are human rights. And they are non-negotiable.
My second coming out: HIV-positive and free
PRIDE, pride - the opposite of shame. And I know shame well.
I hid for years - for fear of rejection.
But then came my second coming out:
Not only gay/queer, but also HIV-positive.
And man - did that feel good!
Because I was finally me. Because I could finally be free.
No shame. No silence.
I know that not everyone with HIV can be as open as I am.
But what I want to tell you:
Don't hide out of shame.
Because: HIV is not a disgrace. Discrimination is shame!
Cuts jeopardise lives - we must stay loud
We have to stay loud. Especially now:
HIV prevention is being cut. Offers cancelled.
Also in Berlin. Also in Germany.
And that is why I am standing here before you today - proud, but also angry.
Because our health is not a savings item!
N=N. Breaking the stigma.
We need to become strong again as a community:
Talk about HIV. Share knowledge about N=N - Not detectable = Not transmissible!
You all know someone who is HIV-positive - even if you don't know it.
If you are informed, you help. Me. Us. The whole community.
This is how we break the stigma together!
PRIDE means: Cohesion. Remembrance. Resistance.
PRIDE is called: Cohesion.
PRIDE is called: Commemoration - to all those we have lost in the fight for our rights and to AIDS.
PRIDE is called: Resistance.
PRIDE is called: Never quiet again.
I am Hans Berlin.
I am HIV-positive.
I am proud.
And I'm not quiet!
Never again!
Thank you, Berlin!
Website: www.akthiv.de
Instagram: @theonlyhansberlin
