Manchester-based theatre-maker and HIV activist Nathaniel Hall, in partnership with Contact and HIV Charity George House Trust, announces innovative digital arts project as part of his award-winning solo show First Time.
Produced by Dibby Theatre, In Equal Parts aims to educate everybody, regardless of HIV status, about modern HIV healthcare and prevention, destigmatise attitudes to the virus and empower people to understand their role in contributing to the global aim of ending all new HIV transmissions by 2030.
In Equal Parts comprises of four main strands
HIV+Me will showcase three people living with HIV who are working to end HIV stigma in three beautifully shot short films
ACTUP+Live, a free virtual creative learning resource will support schools and community groups to explore art, activism and social justice movements;
In Conversation With will platform people with HIV and artists making work about HIV in a series of interactive digital events;
My Life, My Story will allow people with HIV and artists to use storytelling as a way to explore HIV stigma and shame.
To date, In Equal Parts has engaged 5.5k people in creative workshops, talks, exhibitions, rapid HIV testing and fundraising parties and has engaged over 18k people online.
Promoting the ‘Undetectable=Untransmittable’ message and the use of ‘PrEP’ in HIV prevention, In Equal Parts takes a radical new approach, levelling the playing field between those living with HIV and those who are not, and between artist and community.
Creator of the In Equal Parts project Nathaniel Hall said:
“Diagnosed in 2003 at just sixteen, I lived in secrecy and shame for nearly fifteen years. The impact of stigma led me to breaking point in 2017 but after I went public with my diagnosis with my solo-show First Time, my life became immeasurably better.
“In Equal Parts will support other people living with HIV to break through the stigma of the virus whilst educating others on the devastating impacts of stigma on the lives of people with the virus, in turn contributing to the aim of ending all new transmissions of HIV by 2030.”
Darren Knight, George House Trust CEO said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Nathaniel Hall and Dibby Theatre. This exciting project addresses the HIV stigma which impacts on the lives of many people living with HIV and will challenge the myths and misinformation about HIV which is still all too prevalent.
“By encouraging HIV testing, In Equal Parts is also making a significant contribution to the message that we all have a part to play in ensuring an end to new HIV transmissions”.
