When Joel had to announce his HIV status to those around him in the 1990s, he was most often rejected. He told Olivier Delacroix on Tuesday.

YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES

In the 1990s, Joël, now 54, was infected with the AIDS virus as a result of unprotected sex. At the time, the lack of knowledge about this disease caused fear and rejection on the part of his family and professional entourage. Joel told his painful memories to Olivier Delacroix, Tuesday on Europe 1.

"At the time, there was little information circulating about HIV, we just knew that it was about homosexuals, drug addicts, etc. But we did not have information as we can now. In the years that I started my sex life, I told myself that the disease was not visible, that there were no outward signs, the people I met were in good shape, so I did not not protect.

When the diagnosis was sent to me, it was for me as if I were signing my death warrant. It was the end of my life, the end of my projects. Everything broke in one fell swoop. I found myself in a sort of bubble, as if I had left the world. I was no longer with my doctor, I was elsewhere.

Heard on europe1:

My mother is the first person who opened my arms after the announcement of this disease, which meant, at that time, death

I first announced my HIV status to my mother, who immediately supported me. It has been very important to me. Alas, she is now dead. But even today, when things are very bad, I think back to that sentence she said to me: 'You know Joel, you'll stay my son, whatever happens'. This sentence carries me. My mother is the first person to open my arms after the announcement of this disease, which meant death at that time.

Without that, I would have very quickly given up. I think I would have left, by the way. I would have said: anyway, I have very little time to live.

>> From 15h to 16h, share your life experiences with Olivier Delacroix on Europe 1. Find the replay of the show here

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My father did not support homosexuals, let alone AIDS, which he considered divine punishment

When I announced it to my brothers and sisters, however, I did not have any support at all. I found myself facing a sidereal emptiness, incomprehension, pure rejection. I was dirty of this disease. The goal was for them to move away from this disease. It was complicated to have someone from their family who was HIV positive. In short, they said to me: 'You have sought it, now you pay it, and do not come to cry'.

I did not talk about my HIV status with my father. We had a relationship that was a bit special. My father did not support homosexuals, let alone AIDS, which he considered divine punishment, something that had been sought. When I found myself HIV-positive, I told myself that my father was going to kick me out, ban me.

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Very gradually, I lost my job, and I found myself at the archives. I could not see anyone

In addition to the family sphere, I was also rejected by my professional sphere. In 1998, the disease caught up with me, and I developed the symptoms of AIDS. I was hospitalized urgently. I was in a coma for 45 days. It took me two years to recover, to rebuild myself. When I wanted to go back to the banking establishment where I worked, things were not at all like before. One day, I had an altercation with a colleague, and it ended in the office of management. There, the new director announced me: 'Joel, everyone knows that you are HIV positive'. It was 9:05, this remark came out of nowhere. It was as if I was announced a second time my death sentence. A second time, I put on my head this kind of lead screed.

I knew later that when I was in intensive care during my coma, my director at the time sought information about my condition. She then went to the hospital, went to the emergency room pretending to be my sister, and she had access to my file. And she relayed this information to the team ...

I was then asked to announce my HIV status in a meeting because it put a bad atmosphere on the job. Very gradually, I lost my job, and I found myself at the archives. I did not see anyone anymore.

Heard on europe1:

As long as there are false beliefs about HIV, the fear of HIV will remain rooted in our societies

About ten years ago, my treatment went from 48 capsules a day to one tablet a day. The advance of science is enormous. Now, we have a freedom, we have almost a normal life.

Why is living with HIV still taboo today? I think it's the reckless fear, and especially the ignorance. That's why today I'm willing to talk about it face-to-face, to testify in schools. I still hear that you can be contaminated by saliva or by going to the bathroom after an HIV-positive person. These are completely absurd things. And as long as there are these false beliefs, the fear of HIV will remain anchored in our societies. "

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