Catriona “Cat” Gray was crowned Miss Universe in 2018, representing the Philippines — but even before that, she was involved in HIV advocacy and awareness.
Cat is a pro bono ambassador for LoveYourself, a large community-based organization in the Philippines. LoveYourself is a local partner of the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, a global initiative led by FHI 360 and funded by PEPFAR and USAID.
At the AIDS 2024 conference in Munich, Cat spoke with FHI 360 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Tessie San Martin about the ongoing fight to end the HIV epidemic.
Tessie: You’ve been doing HIV advocacy work for a while. How did you get involved?
Cat: When I was around 18 years old, I lost a friend to HIV. Before that, I was in a position of ignorance. I didn’t know that HIV was such a challenge, especially in the Philippines. I didn’t know that so many lives were being cut short.
A friend introduced me to LoveYourself, which is an incredible organization. It was so eye-opening to see the work that was being done, and I wanted to be a part of it.
I began volunteering with LoveYourself in 2016. I took a position of learning; I asked a lot of questions. Even today, I bring that perspective to my audience.
Putting learning at the forefront is so important because everything related to HIV — the research, the science, the community-driven work — is constantly evolving. There’s new language to use. There’s new stories to hear and amplify. Even though we know so much, there’s so much more to learn.
I’ve loved putting myself in a position of curiosity, because I feel like I reflect who my audience is. They also want to learn and hopefully want to get involved as well.
Tessie: If we fast-forward eight years, what keeps you engaged and energized?
Cat: Working with the incredible individuals who are part of the world of HIV advocacy. We’re all called to it for different reasons. What keeps me going is being around that passion, that drive, that grit that we need to keep fighting the good fight.
It’s hard at times. There’s fatigue. But at the end of the day, everyone has an anchor as to why they want to work toward this cause.
I am a former Miss Universe, and I was given my platform through that pursuit. But for me, it comes back to saying, “What am I going to use this platform for?”
Alongside LoveYourself, I’ve been able to push out messaging to gain awareness and encourage people to get tested, know their status and learn more. It’s been such a fulfilling journey and a great utilization of this platform.
Tessie: When it comes to ending the HIV epidemic, over the last many years there are things that have truly been amazing and things that have been challenging. What’s been an example of each for you?
Cat: A high point would be a poster I presented earlier [at AIDS 2024]. It discussed a survey of new clients who accessed LoveYourself’s services, which included how they learned about the organization.
We found that 60% of them found LoveYourself through social media, and a majority of them said that I was one of the key people on social media who introduced them.
A low point for me has been the criticism around HIV advocacy and how it intersects with the LGBTQI+ community and lifestyle. This is very sad for me, because I feel like everyone deserves to have a happy and healthy life that is lived to the fullest.
Tessie: You’re very right that the stigma is usually one of the most damning things about the HIV epidemic.
Cat: It really is. And stigma comes in so many forms.
Sometimes it’s hard to see that we’re making traction against it, but we keep fighting. We keep putting out messaging that makes people feel that their experiences are valid, they have safe spaces to turn to, and they have resources and care available to them.
That’s why we’re so grateful to the generous partners that enable this work to be done and to reach as many people as possible who need it.
Tessie: Well, I appreciate that. What role can organizations like FHI 360 and other international NGOs, or funders like the U.S. government, play to help you and partners like LoveYourself advance? What message do you want to convey to them?
Cat: I’d begin with immense gratitude, because when funders and large organizations are able to see the potential in these community-driven centers and organizations, it propels the work being done.
From the community perspective, sometimes it feels like we’re making only a small dent of change. But knowing that we’re believed in and that our work has such great support makes all the difference.
It validates what we’re doing — we really are affecting lives, and we have the potential to positively affect even more.
Tessie: Thank you. And the gratitude goes both ways. We can’t do our work without the amazing work and support of partners like LoveYourself.
Cat: Thank you very much. Thank you for all that you do.
All photos are credited to Jessica Wabara Baker/FHI 360.