By Katie Parry
Manchester-based artists will come together in a “stigma-smashing” digital event to answer questions about HIV for World Aids Day 2020.
The free online session will take place through Zoom on December 1 at 8pm.
HIV-positive artists Nathaniel Hall and Jordan Roberts will be taking centre-stage.
Speakers from George House Trust will also answer questions about HIV.
The Trust provides services to people living with, and affected by, HIV.
The event was announced on November 17 by Contact, Manchester.
It is part of Manchester-based Dibby Theatre’s community-led creative outreach project ‘In Equal Parts’.
The initiative was announced on November 11 by Dibby Theatre on Twitter.
The tweet said: “Led by @nathanieljhall the project aims to educate about HIV, destigmatise attitudes towards the virus and empower everyone to creatively reflect on their role in ending HIV by 2030.”
Nathaniel Hall is the leader of the project and was diagnosed with HIV aged 16.
He did not tell his family he was HIV positive until 14 years after his diagnosis.
In an interview with Nam Publications, Nathaniel said: “When we’re fighting these causes it’s not just our responsibility to shout it from the rooftops – it’s the responsibility of everyone.”
In the second part of the digital event, a short film by Jordan Roberts called ‘To Whom It May Concern’ will be premiered.
The film explores HIV past, present and future through music, drag, vogue-dance and textiles.
It is funded by Superbia and GMCA.
Last week Superbia announced that Roberts was looking for people “living with HIV and people who aren’t” to take part in the project.
The event will contain frank discussion of HIV, diagnosis, treatment and the impacts of stigma.
There will be signposting support during the event for anyone who feels affected by the topics raised.
Other artists confirmed for the event are: Singer Adam O’Shea, Drag Artiste Ana Phylactic, Vogue Dancer Tyrone John, Textiles Artist India Chetta-Roberts, and Vogue House Mother Darren Pritchard.
Tickets for the show are free and can be booked here.