As part of EATG’s participation in WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, EATG member Eliane Becks Nininahazwe (aka HIV Stigmafighter) joined the European Medicines Agency (EMA) United for Health Pride boat, representing our shared commitment to health equity, inclusion and the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities. In this personal reflection, Eliane shares her experience of taking part in Amsterdam’s historic first WorldPride, highlighting the power of visibility, solidarity and HIV prevention in the fight against stigma.
The 1st of August was an important day for LGBTQIA+ and allies in the Netherlands as we welcomed WorldPride for the first time in Amsterdam. And the theme, Unity, couldn’t be more needed right now. With all the hate, stigma, discrimination and queerphobia out there, we need to be together to fight back against the system that wants to erase the LGBTQIA+ community.
I proudly represented EATG at the EMA (European Medicines Agency) Pride boat, carrying our main message loud and clear: United for Health. Because to fight injustice, we need to be healthy. To be healthy, we need love. And to stay strong, we need each other.
The crowd along the canals was incredible. They were smiling, cheering, sending heart signs, shouting “We love you”, “You are fabulous”, and “Thank you!” The energy was unreal. I held up the message I always carry for my community: PrEP Saves Lives. I love watching people read it—that moment of recognition, the smile, the “Oh yes, PrEP!” It fills me with strength every single time. It reminds me that prevention is our future if we truly want to end HIV and AIDS.
As an HIV Stigmafighter, I’ll never stop pushing for PrEP, U=U, and the truth that HIV treatment works. To me, stigma is the biggest threat to ending HIV and AIDS. And stigma only wins when we’re divided. So let us unite!
Yesterday we were far from divided. Queer, trans, gay, bi, hetero, migrant, local, young, old… all of us celebrated Pride together. One people, one family, one community.
United in science. Love is medicine. PrEP saves lives.
Happy WorldPride Amsterdam!
Read more in our earlier announcement: https://www.eatg.org/news/eatg-to-join-emas-united-for-health-float-at-worldpride-2026/
Images credit: EMA Staff and Wai Mun Yoon
#WorldPride2026
#UnitedForHealth
Source : HIV Stigmafighter
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