Eurovision winner Conchita reveals HIV diagnosis

APD NEWS

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Eurovision winner Conchita has told fans that she is HIV-positive, and has been in regular treatment for “several years”. The 29-year-old Austrian drag performer made a public statement on Instagram in response to an ex-boyfriend allegedly threatening to reveal the information.

“I have been HIV-positive for several years,” Conchita wrote (translated from German). “That is actually irrelevant to the public, but an ex-boyfriend threatened to reveal this private information. In the future, I don’t want to give anyone the right to cause me pain and influence my life in that way.”

She continued: “I have been in treatment since my diagnosis, and under the threshold of detection for several years, preventing the spread of the virus. Until now, I haven’t wanted to go public with this information for several reasons, two of which I will discuss: the most important was my family, who since day one have been discreet and unconditionally supportive. I would gladly have spared them the attention over their son, uncle and brother being HIV-positive. Likewise, my friends have been aware of this for quite some time, and behaved in an unbiased way that I would wish for anyone in this situation. Secondly, I believe that this information is primarily relevant to those with whom I have had sexual contact.

“Coming out is better than being outed. I hope to show courage, and to take another step towards the destigmatisation of people who have become infected with HIV due to their actions or through no fault of their own. To my fans: this information about my HIV may be news to you, but it’s not the totality of my identity. I am well, and stronger, more motivated, and freer than ever. Thank you for your understanding!”

Conchita, formerly known as Conchita Wurst, won the Eurovision song contest in 2014 for her song Rise Like a Phoenix. Wurst is a recording artist and drag queen portrayed by Thomas Neuwirth.

The BBC reports that the singer recently recorded a special edition of BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night, performing her favourite diva songs, accompanied by the 60-piece BBC Concert Orchestra. The concert will be broadcast later this month.

(THE GUARDIAN)