Project overview

U=U campaign for World AIDS Day

On the occasion of World AIDS Day, our social nurses have been organising an annual campaign since 2019 to fight against a major challenge in HIV care: stigma. This year, with #lovemysafespace, we raise awareness around safe spaces for people living with HIV.

ITM is a safe space for people living with HIV

With the #lovemysafespace campaign, social nurses Wenne Mertens and Cora Lamonte are calling attention to safe spaces where people can safely talk about HIV.

People living with HIV unfortunately still face stigma. Use our photo frames to show that you or your organisation is a safe space for people living with HIV and spread our message:

YOU=YOU highlights equality between people living with or without a disease such as HIV.
U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) means that if HIV medication is used correctly, the virus is no longer detectable and therefore not transmissible sexually.

#lovemysafespace

The U=U campaign was launched on the initiative of the social nurses of the HIV Reference Centre (HRC) in Antwerp (ITM) and with the support of ViiV Healthcare and Gilead.

Main entrance of ITM #lovemysafespace

Social nurses Cora and Wenne #lovemysafespace

Policlinic of ITM #lovemysafespace

Share your picture on social media with #lovemysafespace and win a mug!

How do you participate?

Make your safe place visible in three simple steps:

Take a picture with the photo frame. You can pick up a free card at the main entrance at Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, or order one for your organisation by sending an e-mail to Wenne Mertens or Cora Lamonte.
Post the picture on social media with #lovemysafespace. Who knows, you might win a safe space mug! Don't forget to tag us!
Put the cards in a visible place to show that you are a "safe space.

The contest runs from 1/12/23 to 31/01/24.

#lovemysafespace

What are we doing on World AIDS Day (1 December)?

Safe space booth at ITM

Come by one of our stands at the main entrance (entrance Nationalestraat) or the policlinic (entrance Kronenburgstraat) for free cards, photo frames and a nice chat.

Artists against Stigma

Cora and Wenne will take part in Artists Against Stigma, an event of Antwerp Queer Arts Festival in support of individuals living with HIV. They will present their campaign and participate in the human library.

Symposium "Let communities lead"

ITM and SHARE (ITM’s interdepartmental research platform on HIV and sexual health) will highlight and discuss the role of community leadership in the HIV response with ITM students, staff and the interested public.