Alfie’s praise for Harry as he raises HIV awareness
WALES rugby star Gareth Thomas has praised Prince Harry for his efforts in raising awareness about HIV testing as they met at a rugby club yesterday to highlight the issue.
Thomas, who revealed in September that he is HIV positive, said Harry has “done so much to normalise HIV testing and fight the stigma across the globe”.
The former Wales captain’s comments came as he was named as a member of the Terrence Higgins Trust’s new HIV Commission.
Thomas, who was born in Sarn, near Bridgend, and started his career with Pencoed RFC, said of his appointment: “I spoke out about living with HIV, not for me but for all those people who are struggling and don’t have a platform.
“For them, I want to do everything I can to challenge stigma and outdated views about HIV.
“That’s why I’m thrilled to be joining the HIV Commission because I want to be a part of a positive change and play a role in driving us towards our goal where no-one else contracts HIV.”
In a candid interview two months ago, the 45-year-old said he kept the diagnosis a secret for years since it was revealed to him during a routine health check.
He had no idea the diagnosis was coming and described it as “being hit by a 300-mile-an-hour train without expecting it”.
He added that he had been living in fear of his “secret” coming out and wanted to be the person to reveal the news.
Harry and Thomas yesterday met players from the London-based Kings Cross Steelers – who style themselves as the world’s first gay rugby club – and others from Premiership Rugby club Harlequins, to raise awareness about the issue.
Thomas was the highest-profile sportsman in the UK to reveal he was gay when he came out in 2009.
The ex-fullback, who captained both Wales and the British Lions, is also thought to be the first UK sportsman to go public about living with HIV.
Earlier this year he said he was driven to suicidal thoughts as a result of his diagnosis but Harry and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, have praised Thomas for revealing he is HIV positive.
Harry and Thomas decided to work together after the duke texted the Welshman asking to chat a few days after he revealed his HIV status in a Twitter video – now watched almost five million times – and an interview in the Sunday Mirror in September.
The duke and the sportsman met the club players at the Twickenham Stoop, home of Harlequins, ahead of National HIV Testing Week, which will run from November 16 to 22.