Dating while living with HIV can be empowering, joyful, and deeply fulfilling—but it also comes with moments of vulnerability, especially when it comes to disclosure.
It all seemed like talk – until it happened... Words could never do this journey justice. But I will try.
Being part of A Girl Like Me isn't just about telling my story. It's about showing someone else what's possible when we finally decide to stop hiding... We are exactly what someone else needs to see.
Living with HIV for over 20 years, Chanica has transformed her personal journey into a powerful platform rooted in service, storytelling, and systemic change.
I'm choosing to live out loud—for the girl I used to be and for the ones who still think they have to shrink to survive. You don't. You can bloom right where you are.
This country dares to speak of "independence" while millions are held hostage by poverty, racism, ableism, and greed. What kind of freedom is that?
Unfortunately, many countries still maintain entry restrictions for people living with HIV, whether for studies or work.
This framework is my way of calling out the systems of tokenization, manipulation, and performative inclusion—especially in spaces that claim to advocate for us.
I am convinced that conferences such as these contribute by creating the much-needed space for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment.
Too often, I was told what I should say and how I should say it—by people working in HIV who do not have HIV.