'A positive result is not the end of the world' - Irish drag queen urges people to test for HIV

Irish drag queen Panti Bliss is urging Irish people to get tested for HIV. 

The performer and business owner, who is also HIV positive, commented on X (formerly Twitter) to encourage people to check their HIV status. 

Panti stated, "Today is World AIDS Day and this is me telling you to get tested. Thanks to super-effective, easy modern treatments, a positive result today is not the end of the world. And they work even better the sooner you start.

"Look at me! Fat, healthy, and 55, living with HIV 27 years!" 

He continued: "And people on effective treatment can’t pass on HIV, so the sooner everyone who should be on treatment is on treatment, the sooner we can end the epidemic once and for all. So go get tested." 

According to HIV Ireland, over 9,000 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Ireland since the early 1980s. 

Effective HIV treatment or medication and an undetectable viral load means the risk of HIV being passed on through intercourse is zero. 

This is known as 'Undetectable Equals Untransmittable', or U=U. 

According to a 2018 report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), there were 523 HIV diagnoses across Ireland in 2018, with 79% male and 21% female. 

Five diagnoses were recorded among trans people (all five identified as trans female), with 79% of all diagnoses among those aged 25-39 years. 

Among the diagnoses in 2018, 42% were previously diagnosed with HIV in another country. 

Men who have sex with men are the group most affected by HIV in Ireland (accounting for 56% of diagnoses in 2018), with heterosexual transmission accounting for 31% of diagnoses the same year. 

Gay and bisexual men in Ireland can avail of free HIV self-testing kits from HIV Ireland, with free rapid testing available at LGBT+ venues across Dublin on a weekly basis. 

When and Where:

The George – Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm

Outhouse LGBT Community Centre – Wednesdays 6pm to 8pm

The Boilerhouse – Sundays 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Pantibar – Sundays 4pm to 6pm