Former Wales rugby international Gareth Thomas has spoken about living with HIV and the impact of stigma on his family, including his husband Stephen. In a recent interview with Brazilian outlet Globo, Thomas encouraged people to get tested, saying that knowing one's HIV status is essential and that a positive result does not prevent a normal, happy life.
Thomas's Advocacy and Personal Experience
Thomas, 52, came out as gay in 2009 and publicly announced his HIV diagnosis in 2019, clarifying that his case was not contagious. He has since campaigned for greater awareness, aiming to end new cases of HIV. He told Globo: "Find the strength to get tested. Knowing your HIV status is essential, and if the result is positive, it is possible to lead a normal, happy and healthy life. Look at me: I climb mountains, run marathons and take part in Ironman competitions. HIV doesn't limit me in any way... If we all got tested, one day we could put an end to all new cases of HIV."
Thomas has previously described the virus as "widely misunderstood" and revealed how stigma affects those around him. In an interview with The Mirror last year, he said: "In a way, sadly, my family are sometimes guilty by association with me. You know, my husband sometimes has difficulties at work or difficulties in society because he's married to me. My husband is HIV negative, but because I'm HIV positive people assume that he's bound to be HIV positive because they don't understand treatment. They don't understand that, on effective treatment, I can't transmit through sexual contact."
Challenges and Hope
Thomas described everyday encounters where people avoid sharing glasses, cutlery, or physical contact. He told Globo that his activism has given him a "renewed sense of purpose and determination." He also noted that while some athletes hide their sexuality, few hide an HIV diagnosis, which remains a private matter for many.
Thomas, capped 100 times for Wales and three times for the British and Irish Lions, continues to break boundaries athletically. Reflecting on his journey, he said: "What I would say to my 20-year-old self is: life is going to be extremely difficult. But it is by overcoming those tough times that you find success. And, even more importantly, it is in those moments that I have found my happiness."
