{"id":397,"date":"2018-11-30T12:06:38","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T17:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mosaic\/?p=397"},"modified":"2018-11-30T14:24:42","modified_gmt":"2018-11-30T19:24:42","slug":"rupaul-celebrity-champions-hiv-awareness-through-drag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mosaic\/2018\/11\/30\/rupaul-celebrity-champions-hiv-awareness-through-drag\/","title":{"rendered":"RuPaul celebrity champions HIV awareness through drag"},"content":{"rendered":"

A celebrated American drag performer who revealed his HIV-positive status when he was a contestant on RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race Show has brought his message of safe sex and drugs to Ottawa.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ongina performing at Ottawa’s The 27 Club on Thursday evening.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBeing a drag queen gives us a louder voice because when we\u2019re on stage, all eyes are on us,\u201d Ryan Palao said in an interview before hitting the stage Thursday night at a ByWard Market nightclub to belt out a traditional drag queen lip sync of Lady Gaga\u2019s \u201cBorn this way\u201d.<\/p>\n

Palao, whose stage name is Ongina, has been involved in HIV awareness since placing fifth on the reality TV show in 2009.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to use that voice and spread the message of practicing safe sex and safe partying,\u201d said the performer, who headlined the AIDS-awareness event at The Club 27. \u201cI try to do what I can to help bring awareness and help with the stigma associated with the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ottawa\u2019s gay, bisexual and queer male community is spreading awareness through the colourful world of drag for Canadian HIV and AIDS awareness week.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Harm Reduction Kits given out at The 27 Club.<\/p><\/div>\n

MAX Ottawa, Viiv Healthcare and Capital Pride organized the event, which brought community members together to discuss the safe use of drugs for sex and partying. MAX Ottawa offers a number of resources for men, including information on where to get an anonymous HIV test and \u201charm reduction kits,\u201d which contain items ranging from condoms and lube to clean drug paraphernalia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal of the program is to approach harm reduction in a fun, positive manner,\u201d said Robert Alsberry, the communications and outreach coordinator of the community organization. The main focus of the event is \u201cchemsex,\u201d which is \u201cthe use of drugs specifically to enjoy sex,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, the issue with this community is that it greatly increases the chance of acquiring HIV or STIs,\u201d said Alsberry.<\/p>\n

Palao entertained with some stand-up comedy and emphasized that having a platform to spread awareness for HIV and AIDS in Ottawa has been a great opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that she, on national TV, came out as HIV-positive to try to help with the stigma of that, I think is a really big deal,\u201d said Andrew Parker, an attendee who paid extra for a meet and greet with Ongina.<\/p>\n

Palao encourages others who are HIV positive to continue living their lives and pursuing their dreams. \u201cRemember that there are people like you who may be going through the same things and it\u2019s important to know that you can reach out.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n