At Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema Beach, former Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas and local activist Welton Gabriel joined forces this summer to challenge deep-seated HIV stigma in Brazil. Participating in the "Tackle HIV" campaign alongside the International AIDS 2026 Conference, the advocates spoke directly to young people from disadvantaged communities, aiming to replace fear with scientific understanding about living with the virus.
Gabriel, a 36-year-old event organizer from São Paulo, contracted a treatment-resistant strain of HIV twelve years ago. Although medical treatment eventually brought the virus under control, disclosing his status cost him close friends who cut off contact out of fear. His experience is widespread across Brazil, where nearly 1.1 million people live with HIV—the highest number in Latin America. Despite Brazil's public healthcare system providing free antiretroviral medications that suppress the virus and prevent transmission, research from UNAIDS Brazil indicates that over half of HIV-positive individuals in the country have suffered discrimination.
Much of the prejudice traces back decades to public memories of famous figures like Brazilian singer Cazuza, who died of AIDS in 1990. Gabriel, who now works with the outreach organization Barong to offer mobile testing and education, notes that many Brazilians still view HIV as an immediate death sentence. As a result, many people remain unaware of major medical advancements, including daily treatments that enable individuals to lead normal, healthy lives and upcoming options discussed at the Rio conference, such as monthly preventive pills and strategies for long-term remission.
This lack of awareness carries severe public health consequences. According to national health data, 27 percent of people living with HIV in Brazil are only diagnosed after the infection has reached advanced stages, severely weakening their immune systems. Thomas emphasized that fear of social isolation prevents people from getting tested or starting medication early. By bringing accurate medical facts directly to youth and vulnerable communities, advocates hope to break the cycle of fear and ensure fewer preventable deaths.