(Even though medical science has overcome significant hurdles, HIV-AIDS still remains one of the biggest public health challenge, with millions of new cases being diagnosed every year. December 1 is the World AIDS Day which unites people in the fight against this deadly disease.)
On World AIDS Day, The Quint shares the inspiring story of Gautam Yadav, who is HIV positive. He has represented Asia at the UN and is a board member of the UNAIDS Youth Advisory Forum.
In this video, he talks about his journey and sends out a message of hope to everyone.
Gautam is also an LGBT rights activist and has worked in Delhi’s slums. His HIV-positive status did not deter him from leading his life and being an inspiration to many.
He was a speaker at the sixth edition of the Josh Talks event that was held in Delhi on October 30.
At the event, he spoke about the struggles he faced in school and recalled:
People in school used to bully me by calling me a hijda.
Gautam was 21-years old when he came out of the closet. But after an HIV diagnosis, he suffered in silence for years without any social support. He pushes positive people to seek help and hopes some day, support mechanisms are more easily and readily available.
(This story was first published on World AIDS Day in 2015)
Also Read: WHO Pushes For HIV Home Testing Kits: Will India Go For It?
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