Telling our story is one of the most powerful tools we have to challenge stigma, stereotypes, and myths around HIV.

I decided to share my story because I believe it can help our communities to see that somebody with HIV is just like you and me, and encourage them to treat people living with HIV with love and respect.

I also think that it can be hugely useful for somebody newly diagnosed to see that there are other people with HIV out there ( when I was diagnosed I thought I was the only one!), and that we can live long and healthy lives with HIV.

Shedding the burden of secrecy is also hugely liberating, and restores the sense of power and self-esteem that is often lost at diagnosis.

This video is part of a larger project funded by GILEAD: HIV, My Story and has been distributed to UK clinics to support newly diagnosed people. It has also been used by the National AIDS Trust to produce a resource to support journalists so that they have the information and understanding to report about HIV in a way that is accurate and not stigmatizing.