Josh tells his story at Chch's Candlelight

22-year-old Wellingtonian Josh Chapman was invited to speak at Christchurch's AIDS Candlelight Memorial last night. He took the opportunity to honour his late father, and remind us why he puts himself out there as a 'Poster Boy'.

 

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Josh Chapman. Most of you may know me as the 'Boy Next Door' of the Safe Sex Poster Boy campaign. I have been asked to give a speech for the HIV Candlelight Memorial here in Christchurch tonight, because of what I have been through in my life, because I and also the people that I work with feel that I have something powerful and moving to contribute, and also to remember those that we have lost to HIV/AIDS.

What I thought that I would talk about tonight is personal. I will be letting you all know why I am here.

The reason I want to talk about this is because I hope that my message - my story, can at least be passed on to people and taken on board. So that our community will understand why we push our message of keeping ourselves and each other safe.

Part One - My Dad  See the full transcript of his speech.  Josh tells his story at Chch's Candlelight @ Gay NZ, New Zealand