So thrilled and overwhelmed by the incredible response to my appearance on
#tommytiernanshow
HIV stigma is so pervasive in Ireland. It is so damaging to the thousands of us living with HIV in this country. Want to help lessen it? Here are a few short things you can do:
Front page of The Gaurdian - people living with HIV who are on effective treatment can’t pass it on 😍
👏Can’t👏Pass👏It👏On👏
Delighted that Maurice and I took part in such a historic study. I take my meds, he stays negative and that's it.
#UequalsU
Can’t quite believe I’m typing this but…
HOW TO TELL A SECRET IS COMING TO NETFLIX
This World AIDS Day (Dec 1st),
@ASecretFilm
will be on all Irish and UK
@netflix
accounts
So proud of the whole HTTAS team
Stream it. Replay it. Replay it again.
Let’s get it to top 10 ✊
Growing up gay in Ireland, I never thought I’d be invited to speak about sexual health and my experience of living with HIV at mass. Beyond that, I never thought I’d recieve such a warm welcome from a priest or a congregation. I was (gladly) proven wrong on all points ❤️
We are celebrating the people of Ireland spending their money to donate publicly funded vaccines to poorer countries while our government is actively opposing the
#TRIPSwaiver
- a way in which we can increase vaccine manufacturing around the world🤦🏻♂️
We need a
#PeoplesVaccine
now
6) With Ireland’s 2 degrees of separation, it is likely that you know someone living with HIV. By talking about HIV in an informed way, you could be that first person that someone could disclose their status to.
That is life changing.
Try to be that person ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I had the pleasure of celebrating my 7 year HIViversary on the Med 🌊 🌞 🏖
Although I don’t think there is a real *need* for me to celebrate the anniversary of my diagnosis, it’s always a great time for me to reflect on life over a glass of bubbles and cheer for the future❤️
2) Scream it from the rooftops, “people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV sexually. The risk is Zero!” We can have children that are HIV negative too thanks to medication ❤️
When I was 19 & 20 years old, I was turned away twice from James STI clinic. Got diagnosed with HIV when I was 21. My immune system was badly affected. Got HIV when I was 18. No wonder we have a HIV crisis. Lack of funding to sexual health services one major contributor
@HSELive
Ahhhhhh can’t believe I’ll be on Ryan’s last
@RTELateLateShow
. A huge huge huge honour and privilege to be asked back.
The energy in the green room is electric. It’s going to be a good one!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Incredible results from home STI testing pilot:
57% (roughly 7,840) of service users never accessed a sexual health service before.
Looks like a successful paradigm shift in how we test for STIs.
And an 8% reactive rate. A pretty easy business case, surely?
#GHF2021
I am absolutely gobsmacked that UCD LGBTQ+ society are honouring me with this year's Foy-Zappone award. I have always been inspired by the past and ongoing work of past recipients and I hope to live up to this award's legacy.
Super proud of Ireland's HIV grassroots movement ✊
UCD LGBTQ+will present this year's Foy-Zappone Award to HIV activist, Robbie Lawlor, on Wednesday 12 February in the UCD Student Centre. All are welcome to attend this event!
4) I took an open book approach with Tommy to help educate people and I felt comfortable sharing. That does not mean that you should ask half those questions to people living with HIV. We do not need to explain our sexual history or current sexual experience.
5) Have a deep understanding that people living with HIV are not ‘vectors of disease’. We are just very normal people trying to live our lives. That’s it. We just want to get on with it. Be loved. Share our love. Continue on with our very normal lives. We are just human.
Everyone has the right to privacy and this man was denied that.
I’m sure that this experience will leave him, and many of us living with HIV, in a much better place.
Gareth is probably feeling the worlds biggest vulnerability hangover, but I hope he is feeling all the love ❤️
3) As I said on last nights show, “HIV affects no one, it only affects me.” If a friends, family member or date tells you that they live with HIV, reassure them that nothing changes x
Although thousands of us live with HIV, only a handful of people feel that they can be truly open about their status, as there is still so much fear and ignorance around HIV.
1) Talk to all your family and friends about HIV in an informed and non-judgmental way.
I cannot comprehend how much of an impact that this would have had on me when I was back in school. I looooove this.
You can see the whole school benefitting from this show of solidarity 😍🌈❤️🥰
I always sing Irelands praises for providing free HIV treatment to undocumented migrants.
Unlike many other countries around the world/EU, every single person living with HIV in Ireland does not have to worry about accessing lifesaving care/treatment 👏👏👏👏👏
@HSELive
The lack of availability of ART for undocumented migrants in much of Europe doesn’t make sense from a public health or human rights perspective says
@TeyNoori
. He challenges
@EACSociety
to take action on this issue
#EACS2021
I know so many people living with HIV who are nervous about this leak. This is a real threat to our anonymity. Repercussions for our files being leaked could be huge. What is the government doing about this?
@HSELive
@roinnslainte
Apparently, the cyber hackers are going to release patient details today. If anyone gets my medical records, settle in. Longer than War and Peace, with twists you won’t see coming, this story does not have a satisfactory resolution. 3 stars.
These headlines are a great indicator of how far we have come as a country in regards to sexual health. Still a long way to go but I hope all people living with HIV recognize that our country is becoming a more educated and safer place to be open about our status!
#HIV
#EndStigma
When I was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 21, I didn’t even know HIV existed in Ireland. I’ll be going to fight for our right to objective and inclusive sex ed.
@FineGael
need to put party politics aside and push bill through for the health of Ireland’s young people
#SexEdBill
Come along to rally in support of the right of young people to access factual, objective sex education. At the moment religious ethos trumps rights of young people. 5pm outside
#D
áil tomorrow (Tues 3rd).
#sexedbill
#dubw
In 2022, at-home STI testing kits to be made available nationwide!
There is no substitution for a consultation with sexual health nurse/doctor but this will definitely take the strain off an already overburdened sector and make testing more accessible 😍
Thanks
@SimonHarrisTD
, it was great that you worked with HIV activists to ensure PrEP rollout. As highlighted on last nights show, there remains a HUGE knowledge gap around sexual health and HIV.
Id encourage dialogue with
@ActUpDublin
&
@TheUSI
on how we can best move forward
Thank you
@Robbie_Lawlor
- a brilliant interview on
#tommytiernanshow
. Educational, honest and real. You will have helped so many & indeed helped us all in terms of understanding and knowledge
#hiv
Shortlisted for both Noel Walsh HIV activism award & Volunteer of the Year 😱😱
Congratulations to all fellow nominees (short and long listed). Regardless of who wins, it’s going to be a great night and I’m am delighted so much great work is being recognized ❤️ 🌈
This is fantastic news❤️
Living with HIV is no longer a barrier to getting a residency visa in New Zealand. Hopefully, more countries follow suit.
You can find more about visa/entry restrictions for people living with HIV here:
Breaking News: Anne Doyle tells the nation that people living with HIV who are on effective treatment can 🍑 without fear!
Tune into the
@pozvibepod
tomorrow to hear our interview with Anne and the fab Erin from
@HIVIreland
Video:
@lavenderduh
Co-lover:
@LadyVeda
#UequalsU
When I was a child I didn’t get the MMR
I did get measles-induced encephalitis. Unable to walk, talk and didn’t know anyone around me.
I was in hospital for 3 weeks unable to move until one night I got up in bed and woke up my mam - fully recovered. I was lucky.
Get Vaxxed!
Measles has taken a big jump up in cases in Europe
It’s very infectious 🙁
Most adults will have immunity thru vaccination but lots of children have missed MMR shots
Check if your child is immunised!
"The HSE spokeswoman said Irish orders of almost 5,000 kits overnight is "unprecedented."
Unprecedented? Definitely.
But is it surprising? You closed and limited sexual health clinics nationwide. Are we naive enough to think that people are not riding?
Message for this year’s
@DublinPride
is loud and clear! People living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV. The risk is 0. Lets screech it from the rooftops
#UequalsU
Amazing work from the HSE ❤️ You will see these all over Ireland.
Share the good word to your sisters, aunts, grandads, fathers, mothers, neighbours - anybody who will listen!
People living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV. Risk is Zero
#UequalsU
So excited to be in Montreal this week for
#AIDS2022
with the fabulous
@PreventionAC
team who put U=U on the map✊
We will be using social media all week to update the world on all the latest research and new advancements in the U=U movement. Help us all spread the good work 💘
In this 1 minute clip,
@LadyVeda
named, explained and destroyed HIV stigma. All while modeling off our new U=U tee. I am so proud ❤️
I hope
@HSELive
&
@roinnslainte
are listening. We need the state to invest in more supports/campaigns for people living with HIV
#IrishAIDSDay
Still can’t believe I was asked back on to
@RTELateLateShow
with all these heroes for Ryan’s last show😱
Such a gorgeous night and fitting tribute to Ryan, a broadcaster that will inevitable go down in the annals of Irish television history
Thanks for all the lovely comments 🥰
YES YES YES YES!
I will never tire of hearing these stories.
People in Ireland are predominantly sound. All the love pouring in for Shane highlights this ❤️
Stories like these are what will change hearts and minds ✊
Ireland’s approach to reducing STIs everyone 🤦♂️
No PrEP, limited testing services, barely any Sex Ed, no (effective) nationwide campaigns and a National Sexual Health Strategy that was giving fuck all money - these comments trivialize the issue and does nothing but harm
@HSELive
The
@HSELive
on the radio today advising people to “reduce their number of sexual partners” if they’re worried about contracting an STI.
Unacceptable. How about functioning sexual healthcare in Ireland, accessible to all?
Infrastructure is to blame for increase, not individuals.
Everyone welcome Vida to the world.
Thanks so much to superstar makeup artist
@Pixie_Woo
for working miracles and for my beautiful sister, my Linda, my heart
@LadyVeda
for dolling me up
Last night was so special 😍
#LivingtheHIVida
We never should have started relying on other countries for this vital service in the first place.
This is, however, very verrrry welcome news. Hopefully we get the right people for the job and that it’s set up ASAP🏳️⚧️
I’m one of The Irish Times ‘50 people to watch in 2018’. I’m absolutely chuffed 😊
I’m determined to see
@HSELive
fully subsidise PrEP and to get young people more involved in HIV campaigns this year ✊ w/
@ActUpDublin
@Youth_StopAIDS
@EATGx
I wished I recorded my mam's reaction when I told her that we will be in the same mag as Cillian Murphy and
@MarianKeyes
tomorrow 😂
She really is the best and I imagine everyone who reads her story of unconditional love will see that she is a huge star in her own right ❤️💫
Tomorrow’s mag is a real must-read issue with Peaky Blinder himself Cillian Murphy AND The wonderful
@MarianKeyes
.. plus
@Robbie_Lawlor
and his mum on the stigma and silence around HIV,
@MiaChristina_
on the decision to write her memoir.. plus lots more! Cover 📸
@_savage_john
Couldn't be happier to see the U=U message be celebrated around Dublin with such a joyous photo of the legendary
@LadyVeda
Undetectable = Untransmitable:
People living with HIV who are on effective treatment can't pass it on
Thank you
@HSELive
@Man2ManIreland
@babsdaly
👏👏👏
Shaun was one of the guys “that needed to get checked” after my HIV diagnosis.
Skip a few years, we co-created a play with our disclosure scene in it.
Disclosure can be seen as a negative thing in the HIV world. But it’s not. You can get people like Shaun in your life from it.
Yesterday, I called out the Minister's assertion that Ireland's role in the Pandemic Treaty negotiations shows our strong global solidarity. Our actions are doing the opposite.
I asked Tedros and Mike to comment on Ireland's hardline position on IP at the ongoing negotiations:
Ahhh this is so cool. There are lots of amazing people/orgs working to tackle Ireland’s HIV crisis and it’s a real privilege/honour to be nominated alongside them ❤️
🚨 27th of Feb - Pregnant with a Drag Queen will be aired on
@VirginMediaIE
🚨 A short biopic of the brilliant
@LadyVeda
❤️
🚨 10 actors are people living with HIV - Revolutionary!
🚨 I’m playing a (slightly) younger
@PantiBliss
(thanks for lending us the wig)
💄💄💄💄💄💄
So grateful to Ireland’s top model, Ronan Murphy for modeling off
@pozvibepod
’s U=U t-shirt which are on sale at
@DublinPride
. Thanks for helping to spread the good word, for gracing us with a crop top and for being such a great ally, Ronan ❤️🌈
How we treat the trans community in this country is disgusting and inhumane. Having to crowdfund for vital healthcare that is not available in your own country and then having to fight for access to after-care. We need
#TransHealthcareNow
@HSELive
After a rough night and couple days, we’ve just had to take
@UrNoFionn
into A&E as he’s not been at all well.
Seroma needs to be drained & possible infection.
We were told on arrival that he wasn’t entitled to after-care at A&E as he had surgery abroad but we finally got him in.
‘I know people with HIV who survived the AIDS pandemic but died to COVID. This is an abomination.’
@Winnie_Byanyima
Why have we not learned anything from the AIDS pandemic? Why is our government still prioritizing profits of over people’s lives?
#PeoplesVaccine
Yesterday, the
@pozvibepod
treated some of our alumni and tribe to a day out fishing with Anne Doyle.
Such a brilliant day ❤️
No clarification needed but Anne Doyle is as iconic as you’d expect.
Thanks to Daddy’s Cafe for sponsoring ✊🏻
📸 :
@NoelDonnellon
❤️:
@LadyVeda
I do not know one single person who thinks a
#TRIPSwaiver
would mean more vaccines tomorrow. We do know it means we can ramp up vaccine production in roughly 6 months time though - that is why we need a
#TRIPSwaiver
now - stop misleading and start acting
@brophytalks
"I believe that some who passionately advocate for
#TRIPSwaiver
are of the view that adopting it today would mean tomorrow morning vaccines would be so much more available than the currently are, when this is not the case"
#DevelopmentMatters
|
@Irish_Aid
Lancet endorsing
#UequalsU
❤️
Two BBC interviews done and two assignments handed in today. I need a drink 🍺
Much love to all HIV activists/allies doing all the media/social media rounds today to spread the good word! This message needs to be spread all day, everyday ✊
Five years ago I was representing Ireland at
@MrGayEurope
- This year I am going back as a judge.
Can't wait to meet the new participants, see their campaigns and discuss all things HIV in Europe ❤️
#MGE19
Getting messages from people recently diagnosed with HIV has become a normal part of my life.
Few support services, no campaigns, inaccessible PrEP, limited testing services.
We have the tools to stop rising HIV rates, we just need the political will
@SimonHarrisTD
#PrEPNow
The rate of HIV infection in Ireland is at a record high, urgent action is needed to prevent further increases. Please sign my petition asking Simon Harris to invest in HIV prevention.
@ActUpDublin
@GCNmag
@HIV_Ireland
“Seventy percent of Poles thought homosexual relations were unacceptable, according to a 2014 opinion poll from the CBOS institute.”
Poznan Pride was both terrifying and inspiring. A glitter filled war zone.
So much hate needs to be overcome. One pink pompom shake at a time.
I stopped drinking for 30 days and I realised a few things:
1) (I)reland has a problem with alcohol. I was invited out for drinks 10 times and same again for drinking at home
2) Non-alcoholic beer is overpriced and rotten but helps!
3) You're 100% more productive
Free at-home STI testing kits have been available only a few hours in Dublin, Cork, and Kerry. They are already out of kits.
I hope that this highlights to
@HSELive
that a nationwide rollout is wanted/needed! Many UK studies show the benefits of home testing. Scale-up needed.
The day after her wedding,
@hazechu
came around to all the families of people living with HIV at The Mansion House and thanked us all for coming.
Thank you for being Dublin’s best mayor.
Thank you for being a HIV ally.
Thanks for sharing some words of wisdom w/
@pozvibepod
🥰
Delighted that you understand the necessity of immediate access to subsidized PrEP is a major issue for our community!
@ActUpDublin
will be delighted to meet with you to discuss optimization of PrEP rollout for high risk populations! Let’s set a date. Happy Pride, Simon 🌈
#Pride
World AIDS Day is a day to commemorate and reflect, but also a day to celebrate those living with HIV and striving to make a difference. Bravo
@LadyVeda
Diagnosed at 21, this anthem would have been life-changing for me and I'm sure it will be for many <3
📢 How to Tell A Secret is getting a cinema release 📢
From Dec 1st,
@ASecretFilm
will be screened in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
So proud that we get to bring the stories of humanity and HIV disclosure to the nation.
IFI tickets:
More coming soon💘
If we are serious about ending AIDS, HIV transmission and stigma, communities need to be resourced and at the helm of the decision making table.
We know how to make this a reality; no more sidelining the most important voices in the room!
@UNAIDS
@HSELive
@Independent_ie
Thrilled to announce that
@rte
will screen
@ASecretFilm
on June 27th. How To Tell A Secret combines elements of theatre, documentary, and film to delve into the complexities of HIV disclosure and the challenges of dismantling stigma
A must-watch!
So proud of the HTTAS family🥰
I got measles induced encephalitis when I was younger. Couldn’t talk or walk for weeks. Doctors thought I’d remain that way forever. Thankfully I came out of it. Moral of the story - vaccinate your kids
#vaccineswork
Please join us & support all our amazing speakers this Sunday.
I still can't believe it is happening!
People👏sharing👏their👏HIV👏stories👏in👏Temple👏Bar👏
Personally, I believe that this is such a huge step in the right direction. I'm so proud of Ireland <3
As Pride month comes to a close, I’m feeling really privileged to have been invited to so many organisations over the past month/year to educate, celebrate & agitate about all things HIV with my D8 soulmate
@LadyVeda
❤️
Pics from our event at
@OMD_Ireland
HIV advocates — we all know TasP aka “Treatment as Prevention” but what about DasP aka “Decriminalization as Prevention”?
Decriminalization of....
• HIV
• sex work
• drug use
all = prevention.
Amazing to see MoH meeting with
@ActUpDublin
to discuss PrEP rollout programme and U=U messaging. In our HIV crisis we need strong political leadership and Simon understands the need for urgent access to subsidized PrEP. Start of 2019 would be fab,
@SimonHarrisTD
#PrEPForIreland
Excellent meeting with
@ActUpDublin
-we are planning to roll out PrEP programme in 2019 to reduce HIV rates. Huge work underway. Check out new health website for more info on HIV
#PrEPforIreland
-
@campaignforleo
& I are committed to making this happen
🚨 Today is the launch of UNAIDS 2023 Report, ‘Let Communities Lead’ 🚨
If we are serious about ending AIDS, we need to start getting serious about community leadership!
I’m honoured to MC this event, joined by the biggest names in the HIV response. Be sure to tune in at 1.30pm
Join us on November 28 for the launch of the UNAIDS
#WorldAIDSDay
2023 Report: Let Communities Lead. Discover how community leadership can pave the way to ending AIDS by 2030.
⏰13:30-14:30 GMT
💻 Live webcast:
We are delighted to have adult entertainer,
@kaydengrayxxx
join
@LadyVeda
& I on this weeks episode of the
@pozvibepod
to talk about how they use porn to educate all their viewers about U=U.
Believe me, you do not want to miss this episode!
I really loved this piece by
@RussellHayward
about his recent HIV diagnosis.
“If I can help reduce the stigma in any way then I’ll be happier.”
I think your story will definitely touch all who read it.
Laughter with friends was medicine for me too ❤️
"What a stigma really does to us, and it could be the most damaging, is that it hides us away."
@Robbie_Lawlor
on overcoming the stigma for those with HIV in Ireland.