Fighting against HIV/AIDS hate & stigma in S.Korea

Our organization held the largest Summer Human Rights Camp in its history. In mid-August, about 50 people living with HIV came together for three days, and for the first time, our camp was held by the sea. In a society where AIDS stigma is severe, a space where people living with HIV can meet without hiding their HIV status and support one another is invaluable.

At the camp, we shared the draft of the guidebook for workers living with HIV, which our organization is developing based on the results of our survey on the working conditions of people living with HIV. Participants practiced how to respond to discrimination at work through role-play, and 97% of the participants who answered our evaluation survey said that the contents of the guidebook would be helpful. We also invited a human rights lawyer to learn about legal responses to discrimination in labor rights, sexual rights, and health rights. There were so many questions that the time was not enough.

In September, nine new members joined NEWBIE-AL, our meeting for new members. Using emotion cards, participants looked back on their feelings at various moments in their lives, including the moment they received their HIV diagnosis. By sharing these memories and empathizing with one another, they were able to see that time as part of the past.

Our organization is continuing the petition campaign to promote the labor rights of people living with HIV. Our survey found that 34.26% of participants had given up a job they wanted or left their work because of their HIV status. So far, about 1,000 citizens have joined the petition: 302 online and about 700 in person at festivals and events. In September, we ran a booth on the labor rights of people living with HIV at the Daegu Queer Culture Festival and joined the march. We aim to gather 1,201 names by December 1, World AIDS Day and Human Rights Day for people living with HIV, and we plan to submit the signatures to the relevant government agencies.

Our organization also stood in solidarity with the human rights movement in Korea and beyond. We joined press conferences calling for the immediate publication of an education guidebook on responding to hate speech that does not exclude LGBTQ+ people, and calling for an end to the crackdown on LGBTQ+ people and civil society in Türkiye. In October, we also marched in the Gyeonggi March Against Discrimination.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of our organization, which was founded on December 1, 2011, World AIDS Day. On December 12, we will hold "al,oha," an event to celebrate the past 15 years with people living with HIV, our members, and those who stand with us, and to look ahead to the next 15 years.

Our organization will continue to work so that people living with HIV can live, work, and love without discrimination, as our neighbors and fellow citizens. Thank you for standing with us. If you'd like to help ensure our activities continue steadily, please consider supporting our work.