I'm Positive 2022

“This disease is a natural ill, not some moral evil” – so said the nurse Maria Gkika at I’m Positive 2021, succinctly capturing both the demonization of sexuality and the feelings of guilt that often accompany an HIV diagnosis. This year’s discussion will be championing acceptance and love, which starts from within the nuclear family to spread out across society. People living with and without HIV will be taking to the Onassis Stegi Main Stage to tell their own personal stories, shedding light on various aspects of HIV, and proving that the greatest challenge facing those living with the virus is in fact discrimination and societal ignorance.

More open than ever, this year’s I’m Positive is embracing every positive voice seeking to share real-life stories of inclusion. Maria and her mother will be talking about the process of acceptance within the family circle. Yorgos and Irini, who were raised in closed-minded and homophobic surroundings, spotlight the power of friendship, which is able to overcome stigma and prejudice, to prove we can choose a family of our own to have around – the one we want. Amalia and Dimitra, the mothers of transgender teens, are putting their children before themselves and talking candidly about the power and the patience needed to make such a change, and about the importance of raising awareness about LGBTQIA++ community issues among parents. Dionysis, a trans boy, and his father embrace the choices people make, and draw attention to the importance of family support. The discussion is to be moderated by Lydia Papaioannou and Fotis Sergoulopoulos.

On October 13, we’ll be talking openly about the stigma that still exists within relationships, in the workplace, and across society. About everything that’s been hard-fought for and achieved, and all the things still to be done. Together, let’s help make sure no-one need suffer any more due to the taboos, ignorance, or inequality that surround HIV.

“Lots of people who transition end up on the streets. I chose to stand by my son’s side.”

Dionysis Leventakis is a trans boy born and raised in Athens. He received lots of love and support from his father, Marios, which gave him the strength to accept his identity. And he’s well aware that he is an exception rather than the rule, since a majority of transgender individuals are sadly not accepted by their families.

“It’s important to take yourself by the hand. And it’s important to have your hand held by those who love you too.”

Yorgos Androulakis was born and raised in Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, in closed-minded and homophobic surroundings. Diagnosed with HIV in 2010, he decided to share the news a few days later with the people in his life. He thought all hell would break loose, but there were people who came close and embraced him – his beloved friend Irini among them.

Maria (Cyber) Katsikadakou is a LGBTQI+ activist, and founding director of the Outview Film Festival. She was among the first in Greece to speak openly about her identity, publicly coming out as a lesbian. She wanted everyone to know. Maria is attending the event with her mother Ourania, and both will be speaking about the importance of acceptance within family circles, which for them is a given. They both agree that to be embraced by your kin is essential, and urge parents to love their children unconditionally and support their every decision. Because at the end of the day, “What will people say?” really doesn’t matter at all when set against the happiness of a child dreaming about their life.

Amalia Koutskoukou and Dimitra Papaioannou are the mothers of two transgender teens, as well as English language teachers, and members of the “Proud Parents Greece” empowerment and support group for parents of LGBTQI+ children. They are uniting their voices to spotlight the experiences of a parent faced with a teenager asserting their identity – a process that may not be easy at first, but in the end is nurtured with great patience and love, because, as Amalia stresses, “they are our children” and that’s more than enough. Having listened to the stories of other Proud Parents in their hundreds, these two mothers are underlining the importance of raising awareness, and of educating each and every parent on LGBTQIA++ community issues so that they can stand by the side of every queer child seeking the support of an adult.