CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A dozen HIV-positive women donned flowing evening gowns and glittering jewelry Saturday to compete in a beauty pageant aimed at fighting the stigma that still surrounds the deadly virus in AIDS-ravaged Botswana. The country has one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection, with about 37% of its 1.7 million population infected with the virus. Organizers of the Miss Stigma Free pageant hope the contest--now in its third year--will show that the disease does not prevent women from being beautiful and living positively. Cynthia Leshomo, a 22-year-old AIDS counselor, was crowned the winner to loud applause from the crowd of about 500. "I am going to urge our government to involve us HIV-positive people in work on HIV/AIDS, especially in hospitals, because we know how it is to live with HIV/AIDS," she said. Her prizes include cash, an academic scholarship, beauty treatments, and a computer. Another contestant, Neo Sampoela, an unmarried mother of four who was diagnosed with HIV in 1994, said she wanted to help break the silence about the virus. "It is possible to live long with HIV/AIDS," she said. "I do not want people to give up because of HIV/AIDS." (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM