Gareth Henry is the Executive Director of the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) with leadership roles in the non-profit and HIV sectors for almost twenty years. He has worked at Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), The 519 Church Street Community Centre and the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA). Gareth has also served as Board Chair at Africans in Partnership Against AIDS (APAA) for more than six years. He also volunteers with Rainbow Railroad, a Canadian nonprofit that helps relocate LGBTQ people who face danger and oppression around the world. You can learn more about Gareth here and follow Black CAP on twitter here.
We talk about how stigma prevents people from living life freely and being their authentic self. People often suffer in silence from stigma, and can feel isolated. We discuss the importance of finding information on HIV (it is out there!) to move beyond fear, and practising kindness and compassion. Gareth talks about living his life openly with HIV to challenge stigma. He discusses how stigma robs people of the opportunity to take care of each other, and forces people into a box. Solutions lie in lifting each other up and seeing one another's humanity.
Episode hosted by Dr. Carmen Logie. Supported by funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Canada Research Chairs program. Original music and podcast produced by Jupiter Productions, who have various production services available to support your podcast needs.