Can I get HIV from kissing? Many misconceptions about HIV persist. – To mark today's World AIDS Day, the German AIDS charity's prevention campaign ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU (IWWIT) and openly HIV-positive drag queen Barbie Breakout are publishing their joint video „5 facts about HIV“ and make it clear: knowledge protects – against HIV and discrimination.
Today is World AIDS Day, and one thing is clear: whether at the doctor's, at work or on a date, prejudice and a lack of knowledge about HIV are everywhere. As a result, HIV-positive people continue to be devalued and marginalised on a daily basis.
There are very few openly HIV-positive celebrities worldwide – Barbie Breakout is one of them. Barbie wants to use her reach and, together with IWWIT, dispel myths about HIV on World AIDS Day. The central message: let's share knowledge, not prejudices.
Click here to watch the video!
IWWIT: a reliable partner for the community
The prevention campaign run by Deutsche Aidshilfe provides up-to-date information on HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality, identity, health and other topics relevant to queer communities all year round on its website iwwit.de, its social media channels and at events such as CSDs.
More at iwwit.de
Further event information: Apply pressure now!
„Apply pressure!“ – under this title, IWWIT, the Gay Museum Berlin and the Berlin University of the Arts invite you to the Gay Museum for a joint event on World AIDS Day Date: 1 December 2025, 7 p.m. start, doors open at 6.30 p.m. The key message: HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in the 1980s and 90s were powerful, and we can learn a lot from them for dealing with future pandemics.
Current situation regarding HIV and AIDS
In addition to prejudice, now there are cuts as well
In Germany, AIDS support organisations and drug support services are currently struggling with the fact that federal states and local authorities want to drastically cut their funding. This threatens the successes of the last 40 years: AIDS support organisations are able to offer less information, counselling and testing for HIV. The German AIDS charity warnsThis leads to higher HIV rates.
Globally, cuts in HIV prevention measures, such as the dissolution of the USAID development aid agency, are also threatening millions of lives: by 2029, around four million people could die of AIDS and around seven million more could become newly infected with HIV.
Germany is challenged
Deutsche Aidshilfe demands that Germany secure national HIV prevention and care structures while strengthening its role as a reliable partner in the global health architecture. Only decisive action can prevent setbacks and sustain the successes achieved so far in HIV prevention and treatment.
More information about Deutsche Aidshilfe: aidshilfe.de
More information about World AIDS Day: worldaidsday.co.uk
