Brazilian activists confront persistent HIV stigma at Rio AIDS conference

During the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, former Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas and Brazilian advocate Welton Gabriel spoke about the deep-rooted stigma surrounding HIV. Thomas, who became a public champion after revealing his HIV-positive status in 2019, participated in the Tackle HIV initiative to disseminate accurate information. Gabriel, diagnosed twelve years ago with a drug-resistant strain, described the initial belief that he would die and the social isolation he faced when he told friends.

Brazil, home to the largest HIV-positive population in Latin America, offers free antiretroviral therapy, yet UNAIDS Brazil reports that over half of those affected have experienced discrimination. The stigma contributes to late diagnoses—27 % are identified only after progressing to advanced AIDS—and to a treatment gap, with 82 % on medication versus the global 95 % target. Experts warn that fear and prejudice, especially among sexual minorities and women, undermine public-health efforts despite scientific breakthroughs such as the injectable drug lenacapavir.