"GNP+ - and similar bodies like ICW (International Community of Women with HIV/Aids) - run into trouble when they become seen as 'the voice of Aids'."
He goes on to say that politicians, funders, pharmacos
and charities for PWAs tend to use prominent lobbying groups like GNP+
"as a rubber stamp to say: 'We have consulted people with HIV'.
"The bodies who claim to be bodies of positive people need to ask
themselves the question: 'What is this "community"?' It's no
good saying that just because you have your name on a poster, you represent
people."
OK, well why does the self-organising of positive people remain crucial?
Isn't it about big government, big companies and big bucks from now on?
"There has been a mindshift in the last year on treatment access,
yes. But there is still a problem of
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infrastructure.
"Infrastructure is not just clinics, hospitals, labs and dollars.
Infrastructure is also the huge army of people needed to train others
about HIV. In that effort, the energy and experience of people with HIV
and Aids will continue to be crucial - to be a presence in their communities,
to help with voluntary counselling and testing, to fight poverty and teach
sexual healthcare.
"And the community also has to be there to protect people from stigma.
We have to fight for people who are victimised for taking treatment -
we are already seeing poor uptake of treatment in developing countries,
where it's provided, because it 'outs' people as HIV positive. Conversely,
we still have to fight the cruel treatment of those who do get Aids and
show its signs.
"Then we have to do what I'm doing, and lobby for vaccines to be available, at the right price and not just if they're profitable, and for trials to be ethical, and to compensate anyone harmed in them;
we have to keep the political will going during the 7-10 years it will take to get a vaccine."
