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 just queerQueer is a collective term for people whose sexual orientation or gender identity does not conform to the social norm of "heterosexuality". Mehr travelling 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 gayGay refers to men who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to men. Important facts about the term: - "Gay" is the term used to... Mehr/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