From HIV Diagnosis to Activism: Eric’s Inspiring Story in Burundi

Eric, recognized as the world’s first Burundian-Dutch Drag King living openly with HIV, uses performance art and advocacy to challenge systemic medical stigma and promote HIV prevention tools like PrEP and U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Diagnosed at age 26 when a doctor told him to plan his funeral, he now performs internationally—including selections at the International AIDS Conference—to transform scientific data into embodied human experiences.

From a Terminal Prognosis to Global Advocacy

When Eric received his HIV diagnosis at 26, the attending physician instructed him to prepare for a funeral and abandon all hopes of having children, according to his personal account. Instead of accepting that prognosis, he secured access to treatment with the help of his husband, who traveled with him to South Africa every three months for care. Today, Eric is a husband and the father of two HIV-negative sons.

That personal survival story anchors his public platform. Stigma, rather than the virus itself, remains the primary barrier to healthcare access, testing, and disclosure, according to his stage shows and advocacy work. He uses the term “Dragtivism” to describe how theatrical performance, dance, and storytelling serve as political resistance against ongoing discrimination.

Challenging Regional and Cultural Stigma

Sub-Saharan Africa carries the largest share of the global HIV burden, accounting for nearly 65 percent of all people living with HIV worldwide. While new infections have declined by roughly 40 to 43 percent since 2010, an estimated 1.2 million people were newly infected in 2025, with AIDS-related deaths averaging about one person every minute.

Despite medical advances, cultural myths persist across diverse communities. Eric highlights that misconceptions span multiple demographics, noting that some individuals in queer spaces erroneously believe lesbians do not contract HIV. Additional pervasive myths include the false beliefs that people with HIV cannot have children, that healthcare workers must double-glove around HIV-positive patients, or that the virus is restricted to specific geographic regions or professions.

Integrating PrEP and U=U Into Performance Art

Scientific data alone is insufficient to dismantle social prejudice, according to Eric’s methodology. His performances integrate concrete prevention education directly into choreography and short speeches. By utilizing props such as his actual antiretroviral pills as stage makeup, he demonstrates that modern treatment allows individuals with HIV to live healthy, long lives.

His stage presence consistently centers on two main pillars:

• U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable): Emphasizing that individuals taking effective treatment with a suppressed viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus.
• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): Promoting daily medication as a vital prevention tool, particularly within queer festivals and vulnerable communities.

This year, his production titled Dance HIV Stigma Away was selected for the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro. On that global stage, he aims to remind scientists, policymakers, and activists that while effective healthcare means HIV no longer needs to be fatal, societal discrimination continues to cost lives.

Equity, Access, and Peer Support

Ending the epidemic requires addressing profound global inequities in healthcare access. Eric emphasizes that if new medical breakthroughs and treatments remain restricted primarily to wealthy populations while children are still born with HIV without adequate testing, the global health community will fail to close the gap. Peer support networks remain essential for bridging this divide, as newly diagnosed individuals often require reassurance from peers who have already walked the same path.

“Silence kills. Stigma kills. Talking saves lives,” he noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dragtivism?

Dragtivism is a term used by Eric to describe the intersection of drag performance and social activism, using art, dance, and storytelling to fight HIV stigma and promote prevention education.

What does U=U mean in HIV prevention?

U=U stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable. It means that a person living with HIV who takes antiretroviral therapy and maintains an undetectable viral load has effectively zero risk of sexually transmitting the virus to others.

Why is peer support important for people newly diagnosed with HIV?

Peer support helps dismantle fear by connecting newly diagnosed individuals with people living openly and healthily with HIV, providing practical guidance on daily medication adherence, family planning, and coping with social stigma.