You Make Me Feel Mighty Real: Art, Advocacy, and HIV with Emil Canita

Emil Canita, an artist and advocate from Living Positive Victoria, joins Jack and Jake to discuss the intersection of creativity and health. Many queer people living with HIV carry the weight of historical trauma, yet Australia’s epidemic has seen remarkably low mortality rates compared to global contexts. The exhibition You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) at Collingwood Yards seeks to bridge the gap between art history and HIV advocacy, celebrating the resilience of the community while addressing the unique barriers faced by migrants and people of colour. But how can we use art to reclaim the narrative around disclosure, challenge outdated criminalization laws, and honor the elders we lost during the AIDS crisis? We speak about the “emotional scaffolding” needed for HIV disclosure, the shift in the epidemic toward overseas-born communities, and why being told someone’s HIV status is a gift. You’ll also hear about the Let Them Know guide, the HIV Still Matters campaign, and Emil’s upcoming work exploring sex work and HIV. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au