Coming Out Again

“Coming Out Again” tells the story of seven individuals getting ready for Thuli’s Pride Party. It aims to raise awareness about HIV in the LGBTI and Deaf communities, to encourage support for people living with HIV, and to create awareness among programme managers and policy makers about the need for programmes inclusive of these groups. As each of the partygoers prepares for the night ahead, they reflect on relationships, disclosure and coping with HIV.

The individual actors shaped their own personal stories into community drama - three of being HIV positive, others as coping with positive family members, losing loved ones, and trying to stay negative. Each of the actors worked with the writer and director one-on-one, talking about their lives and experiences to come up with the storylines that were woven into the concept. Over a period of six weeks, the directors workshopped the cast to develop and rehearse the final scripting.

Each performance is followed by a facilitated discussion where the audience is invited to ask questions of the cast, and to discuss the issues raised in the play. The audience is also invited to fill in a feedback form. Key questions and comments from the discussions and from the feedback form have been incorporated in the performance.

The performances are South African Sign Language interpreted. One interpreter sitting in the audience simultaneously interprets the dialogue of the Deaf actor for the hearing audience. This dialogue includes teaching the audience a few examples of South Africa Sign Language, which aims to help create an understanding about Deaf communication. Two interpreters interpret the dialogue of the speaking actors, for Deaf audience members.

In preparing for the production, each of the actors participated in a workshop to discuss disclosure, as being a members of the LGBTI community, and for those living with HIV, of being positive. This workshop aimed to identify who may be impacted by this disclosure, including the actor, family, friends etc, and encourage the actor to discuss their public performances beforehand.

The theatrical productions is being adapted for radio, and the issues raised used to create to comic story book.

HIV/AIDS, Rights

The perfromances aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma through sharing the stories of everyday lives. The project organisers believe: “Television shows that aim to educate the nation are missing gay characters, brochures and pamphlets lack reference to gay sex, and discussions refrain from incorporating this part of the population into the dialogue.” The title 'Coming Out Again' reflects how gay and lesbian people find that learning they are HIV positive and deciding to disclose this is similar to the experience of coming out as gay or lesbian again.