The world’s first HIV positive sperm bank has been launched in an effort to reduce the stigma experienced by those living with the virus.

Sperm Positive has begun with three male donors from across New Zealand who are living with HIV but have an undetectable viral load, meaning the amount of the virus in a person’s blood is so low that it cannot be detected by standard methods.

Although this does not mean the HIV has been cured, it does mean that the treatment is working well and so the virus cannot be passed on – even through sex without a condom or childbirth.

Donor Damien Rule-Neal was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 but was confirmed undetectable after starting treatment some 18 years ago.

He said there was still a lack of education among the public in New Zealand about what an undetectable status meant, and that he had experienced stigma about living with HIV in both his work and personal life.

mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Show all 9 1 /9 mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis mothers2mothers (m2m) Mentor Mother—including Sylvia Mdluli (45)—lead a group play session with children aged 0-5 years as part of m2m's Early Childhood Household Stimulation (ECHS) Project in Phola Township, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. These playgroups are designed to improve children's cognitive, social, emotional, motor and language development, and physical growth through drawing, toy-making sessions and playing mentally stimulating games. Hazel Thompson mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mother and baby from Dark City Clinic in Gauteng—South Africa. mothers2mothers mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor Mother—Martha, with her adolescent client—Chancy Magumbo and his grandmother, after a follow-up visit to Chancy’s home. Chancy was diagnosed with HIV after his circumcision wound did not heal and his health deteriorated. Martha suggested he gets tested and after his diagnosis, Chancy started treatment and his health has since improved. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis A baby from Malamulo Hospital in Thyolo District—Malawi happily sits on his mother’s lap while his mother has her middle-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measured to check for signs of malnutrition. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Former m2m client and current Mentor Mother, Femia, with her mother, father, and son outside her home in Malawi. Keli Van Der Weijde mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor Mother from Nkhaba Clinic at The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) educated adolescent girls on the importance of practicing safer sex and how to use condoms. Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Mentor Mother, Dolcar Henwood, with pregnant client at Siphofaneni Clinic in The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Peer Mentors from Soshanguve Community Health Centre lead a health education session for young mothers. Peer Mentors are young women between, aged between 18 – 24, employed by mothers2mothers to provide HIV education and support to adolescent girls and young women (AGYM) in their communities. Karin Schembrucker mothers2mothers helping to educate families dealing with HIV diagnosis Sylvia Mdluli. Hazel Thompson

“I have many friends who are also living with HIV who’ve gone on to have children,” he said.

“Being able to help others on their journey is so rewarding, but I also want to show the world that life doesn’t stop post-diagnosis and help to remove the stigma.”

The online sperm bank said it will be made clear to people looking for a donor that they have HIV but are on effective treatment and so cannot pass the virus on.

The initiative, created by the New Zealand Aids Foundation, Positive Women Inc and Body Positive, hopes to educate people in New Zealand about HIV transmission.

Dr Mark Thomas, an infectious diseases doctor and Auckland University associate professor, said he had seen changes in public opinion after working with those diagnosed with HIV for more than 30 years.

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He said: “I’m glad to say that in this time there have been great changes in public understanding of HIV, but many people living with HIV still suffer from stigma.

“Stigma can lead to inconsistent taking of medicines, and result in much less effective treatment of HIV, and risk of transmitting HIV.

“Fear of stigma and discrimination can stop people at risk from getting tested, and those living with HIV from accessing treatment and support.”

As well as informing the public, the online clinic aims to give people diagnosed with the virus the opportunity to create life and to raise awareness that fertility services are available for them.

Sperm Positive said it will not be operating as a fertility clinic and, if a match is agreed by both parties, it will put them in touch with local fertility clinics.

The online bank was launched ahead of World Aids Day 2019, on 1 December.