Humanising HIV & Empowering a Community  

🇲🇹 Aqra bil-Malti 🇲🇹

WE ARE POSITIVE asks everyone to ‘walk in the shoes’ of people living with HIV (PLHIV). We aim to put the HUMAN at the forefront of discussions about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). A virus which can affect any one of us. 

There is a great institutional and cultural stigma, resulting in the lack of effective policy and understanding, which has affected all things sexual on the Maltese Islands. One of the most unacceptable effects of this is the high levels of HIV within our society. By humanising and bringing the topic of HIV out into the open we aim to encourage, challenge, discuss, and promote change. These discussions can lead to change but need to happen at all levels: in politics, public health, the education system, within the family, social services, in the workplace, across civil society and among the general public. 

WE ARE POSITIVE aims to encourage empowerment; share positive life stories and build a stronger PLHIV community together. As part of the project we plan to organise meet-ups and encourage peer support so PLHIV can find their voice. Please get in touch in confidence if you would like to join us, your anonymity will be respected: community@checkpoint.mt 

For European Testing week May 2024 we wrapped Malta’s symbolic LOVE Monument in Spinola Bay in HIV self-test kit boxes to start a conversation with you. This installation was created by artist Emma Grima and Checkpoint Malta. It’s the start of a series of interventions, events and activities aiming to engage the general public and specific communities in discussion and action about sexual health and HIV. The installation was so successful in engaging the general public that all 620 boxes were removed within 24 hours, enabling people to access the information contained inside about testing and how to find information and support. 

We Are Positive - What next? 

Checkpoint Malta celebrates its 5th Birthday in July so look out for We Are Positive at the Beach! 

During Malta and Gozo PRIDE Celebrations in September there will be drop-in HIV screening and sexual health information sessions, a meet-up for PLHIV and you can walk with us in the PRIDE marches on both islands. 

For Autumn European Testing Week 18-25th November we will be having another big push to promote testing. 

On World AIDS Day, Sunday 1 December join us for an upbeat public intervention celebrating all elements of the We Are Positive message, challenging stigma and calling for change in order to meet the UNAIDS goals to prevent new cases of HIV and eradicate AIDS by 2030. 

Like Checkpoint Malta on FB and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter on community@checkpoint.mt to keep informed about events.

Know your HIV Status 

There is a need to normalise and increase the use of HIV testing and sexual health screening services among the general public. Many are afraid to get tested because of the associated stigma, or don’t think they are at risk. Malta has one of the highest rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Europe. More testing leads to a decrease in transmission in the population. Regular testing means infections can be detected early giving a better chance for those diagnosed with HIV to access effective care and treatment and be able to live a long, healthy life. Effective treatment reduces the amount of HIV in a person’s body to such low levels that they cannot transmit the virus, what we call U=U, Undetectable=Untransmittable. 

The installation was designed to increase access to information about why everyone should know their status; how and where to get tested. Normalising testing reduces stigma. There is a lot of useful information on this website. Just click on the links above to find it. When you do get tested, whatever the result, feel safe in the knowledge that you will receive excellent medical care. If you need more support, even counselling, this is available and can be accessed by contacting us. 

Checkpoint Malta organises monthly free, fast and confidential HIV community testing and information sessions open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or residence status. These are run by trained volunteers in various locations in Malta and Gozo. Free condoms and lube are available. Maximum waiting time is one month for an appointment, and some sessions offer drop-in. Contact: testing@checkpoint.mt 

Encouraging activism - Strengthening our voice 

We ask people to consider the realities faced by people living with HIV. We ask people to care. 

Many feel isolated, alone and live in fear of exposure, because of this stigma. Even within the LGBTIQ+ community there is sometimes a lack of acceptance and understanding. We seek to engage with and support PLHIV, newly diagnosed or in some way affected by the virus. The community of PLHIV in Malta and Gozo who feel able to be open about their status, who have become activists and advocates for PLHIV is small, just a handful of people. Many, as yet, remain silent. We encourage more people to speak out knowing that others have their back. PLHIV have all kinds of lifestyles and identities; some have long term partners, some start families, others remain happily single. People are living full, happy, active and healthy lives with HIV. So whatever your experience, you are not alone. 

There are over 500 people diagnosed and living with HIV on the Maltese Islands and many others are unaware of their status. WHO estimates in 2022 that 39 million people worldwide are living with HIV and 2.4 million of these were within the European Region (UNAIDS/WHO 2023). It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 people living with HIV in the EU/EAA are still unaware of their status (European Centre for Disease Control, 2023). This lack of awareness leads to late diagnoses and the continued spread of HIV.

Background & Acknowledgements 

WE ARE POSITIVE was developed from a number of discussions between PLHIV, allies and activists from Checkpoint Malta, MGRM, HIV Malta, Moviment Graffitti, LGBTI+ Gozo and others, after an approach by Emma Grima seeking collaboration on ‘something different’ in relation to HIV and sexual health. The project will be fully documented throughout in the form of photographs, videos and stories. 

Project Leaders 

Emma Grima is a Maltese socially engaged visual artist working between the Netherlands and Malta. Her practice is interdisciplinary, working in photography, film, and installation art. For this project, she has been working closely with Checkpoint Malta and guided by European Alternative’s Young Movement Campaign Accelerator programme. Website: www.emmagrima.com instagram: @emgrima 

Jackie Roberts, a British artist and activist who lives on Gozo. Jackie is Secretary and Executive Board Member of Checkpoint Malta. 

Checkpoint Malta is an NGO run by PLHIV and other volunteers who support PLHIV or are affected by HIV; fight stigma; organise community HIV testing and information sessions open to all, and advocate for improved sexual healthcare in Malta and Gozo. @checkpointmalta

The ‘Working Group’ team: 

Robert Attard (MGRM/HIV Malta), Silvio Micallef and Angele Deguara (Moviment Graffitti), Catherine Camilleri (LGBTI+ Gozo), Marc Buhagiar (Checkpoint Malta) With thanks to Sexual Health Malta www.sexualhealth.gov.mt 

We gratefully acknowledge the help and support of our sponsors for the installation, Newfoundland Diagnostics, who supplied HIV self-test kits and AM Mangion Ltd. who part-sponsored leaflets and information panels. Brandology.mt for help with the red ‘O’ sticker on the installation. 

The installation would not have been possible without the blessing of Richard England, creator of the LOVE monument and the permission of St Julian's Local Council. 

In addition the following individuals deserve a special mention for their encouragement, support and practical help: 

Maria Axisa, Jake Curti, Myriam Zekagh, Anna Tucker, Ilya Krougly, Johannes Herrman, Freddie Jackson, Roger Aquilina, Philip Grima, Stan van Loon, Joanna Onions, Joe Grima, Juno, Jackie Grima, Becky Hammett, Martina Camilleri, Sophie Abela, Joana Brilhante, Jesmond Deguara