74th Poz & Proud

Description

Poz&Proud – 20 years of visibility, empowerment and coming together

Poz&Proud is the group for gay and queer people with HIV within the Hiv Vereniging. We were founded in 2006 by a group of free-spirited gay men who did not recognise themselves in the idea that “everything was already taken care of.” In 2006 treatment existed, but stigma, shame and inequality were still very much alive.

Twenty years later much has changed. PrEP works as prevention. And with the right treatment, people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives, often without side effects. Medication has become so effective that a person with HIV no longer transmits the virus. That has changed lives and opened up new perspectives.

But we are not there yet. New infections still occur. Access to prevention and care is not equal for everyone. Being open about HIV still feels difficult for many people. Stigma and ignorance continue to play a role, even within the LGBTQ+ community itself. That is why it is important for us to be visible.

During World Pride Amsterdam 2026 we have one clear message: HIV must be normalised. For many people HIV still carries weight and heavy associations, and we want to break through that image and make it feel lighter.

We do this in our own way, guided by three core words that have formed the basis of Poz&Proud for 20 years:

Empowerment – supporting people with HIV to be open in their own way and at their own pace.

Visibility – showing that we are here, simply as part of the community.

Coming together – creating space to meet, share experiences and feel connected.

Our participation in the Canal Parade is centred on that message. We celebrate 20 years, but also show what it is like to live with HIV today.

Medically a lot has changed. But in how society deals with it, there is still room to grow. We want to be a visible part of that change.