Sadiq was diagnosed with HIV in 2014, just after he’d moved to London and started a degree at a circus school.
‘Honestly, the period after being diagnosed was not easy. I was in emotional and physical pain and found myself surrounded by drugs and a lack of self-care. But after a little time and with support from friends I was able to pull myself out of that and make my HIV diagnosis a strength to be proud of.
‘I was ready to continue with my degree and physically train to show that an HIV-positive body is not debilitated in any way. It was the exact opposite, I was blossoming physically and artistically.
‘But there was a lot of fear around me. I kept it to myself for a while but it just got too much. One day, I told a friend at school that I’d been recently diagnosed with HIV. I thought I could trust them but I was wrong.
‘I was treated differently. People wanted to keep their distance. I was still newly diagnosed and working out what my diagnosis meant to myself so being rejected by others was heartbreaking.
‘There wasn’t a specific moment where it all changed, it did take time. In the final year of my degree, we got there. Everyone I worked with is now well-educated on the virus and continue to be allies. Now, the school educates students on HIV – they even invited me to give a lecture to the most recent cohort.
‘Growing up, performance and music were considered taboo but as soon as I started expressing myself using my body it felt so right. I’m so proud of myself for overcoming these obstacles and being able to provide hope to others.
‘I am proud to be a circus performer who is living with HIV and challenging misconceptions about the virus. I am proud of my mixed heritage. I am proud to be making my voice heard. Finally, I am proud that I am now healthier and happier than I’ve ever been and I will continue to thrive.'
