In this special World AIDS Day episode of HIV unmuted, the IAS podcast, poet, advocate and researcher Bakita Kasadha joins host Juan Michael Porter II in a conversation that challenges preconceived notions and redefines how we discuss and address HIV stigma. This episode dives into the transformative power of language, art and science in reshaping the global HIV narrative.
Bakita shares her unique journey from poetry to advocacy and from being sceptical about research to becoming a groundbreaking researcher herself.
Through candid dialogue, the episode explores the nuances of internalized stigma, the limitations of rigid language norms, and the necessity of inclusive and participatory approaches in HIV discourse. Bakita and Juan Michael discuss the role of grace, nuance and allyship in dismantling stigma, and how the arts can amplify voices and stories that have long been marginalized.
This episode will leave you inspired to rethink stigma, reclaim narratives and prioritize people in every aspect of the conversation. To find out how you can get involved this World AIDS Day (1 December), visit our World AIDS Day page.
