BACKchat PODCAST Matt Hall 42: Sexuality and Sexual Health – Challenging the Stigma

In 2002 Matt Hall was the first Australian Rules footballer to come out as gay at any level, and in this podcast he discusses overcoming stigma and fear in a time of great uncertainty, and how so much has changed between 2002 and now. In this podcast Matt discusses the importance of educating society, debunking myths and fear campaigns, his inspirations and mentors, and his latest challenge – the Kokoda Stronger Than You Think trek. Matt chats about the AFL PRIDE game, on the 22^nd July, between St Kilda and Sydney Swans, and what it means.

Matt is a beyondblue ambassador and Lifeline Crisis counsellor. His story is truly amazing and will challenge all the things you think you know about sexuality, stigma, and living with HIV.

Matt Halls Biog
Matt holds a Master of Business (Sport Management) and Bachelor of Arts qualification. He is a beyondbue Ambassador and part of their Public Speakers Bureau. He volunteers as a Lifeline Crisis Counsellor and sits on the Board of Management for Queensland Positive People. Currently Matt is a Company Director for an Event Management organisation.

Matt details what happened in 1998 that changed legal precedent for HIV positive people worldwide and the moral obligation that his mentor helped him through each stage of the process, as the first person with HIV to be banned from playing Australian Rules football.

A person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load is non-Infectious – did you know this?

In 2002, Matt came out as being the first footballer playing Australian Rules Football and being gay. What is the difference with support if an AFL player playing at the highest level came out, today? How is AFLW leading the way with anti-homophobia?

Matt chats about what the PRIDE game, on the 22^nd July, between St Kilda and Sydney Swans means?

What difference would it be if an AFL player, playing at the highest level came out being gay. It’s interesting to observe that a lesbian has more possibly more acceptance about being gay than a homosexual male.

In 1987, the Grim Reaper advertising campaign raised public awareness about AIDS and the concept of safe sex with contraception. The advertisement depicted the Grim Reaper bowling a ball in a bowling alley knocking over men, women and children pins, which represented AIDS victims. What negative effect did this campaign have on society’s attitudes towards people with HIV?

Matt discusses his latest challenge – The Kokoda Stronger than you Think trek -where 18 HIV positive people and their supporters completed the trek.. This has been organized by Olympian Ji Wallace who won a Silver Medal in trampolining at the Sydney Olympics and is also gay. Ji’s 69-year-old father came on the trek and reflects his father’s change in thinking of not understanding homosexuality to now supporting his son who is gay with HIV. This will be a documentary and discuss the view to squash the theme of HIV stigma and discrimination.

Matts reasoning to be involved with beyondblue as an Ambassador and part of their Public Speakers Bureau,

Currently Matt is a Company Director for an Event Management organisation with a focus on Charities and Not For Profits.

The 2017 AFL Pride Game between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda football clubs on July 22 at the SCG.

PLEASE NOTE: Discussion with depression can resonate negative feelings to those who are suffering with a mental health problem.

Thus we responsibly need to pass on depression helpline details in the two countries where we have great reach:

In Australia www.beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 22 4636

In the USA http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net , Toll Free 800 969 6642