Ann (left) and Benny (right) during the award ceremony.
Positiva Gruppen Syd awards the 2024 Peo Scholarship – an award in memory of Per-Olof “Peo” Persson and his work with HIV – to Benny Roth and Ann.
Benny works continuously to increase awareness about HIV both in his private sphere and in the public domain. Through his engagement and participation in public events, exhibitions, interviews, and books, he creates new platforms for dialogue, ensuring that these narratives will resonate with future generations. “Benny breaks the silence and allows HIV to take its rightful place in the public sphere, where his many years of work provide an invaluable perspective,” says acting chair Kim Plunteman. Benny’s efforts fully reflect Peo’s spirit, making him a natural recipient of this year’s award.
Our second recipient and role model is Ann, who actively participates in public events and appearances, including festivals, Pride, lectures, and schools. On these platforms, she shares her life story and experiences living with HIV. “In doing so, she breaks the silence, and as a 50+ heterosexual, white woman, she contributes to openness about HIV and challenges stereotypical assumptions about who lives with HIV,” staying true to the core values of the scholarship.
Through their work, both recipients go beyond the personal and foster a deeper understanding of HIV, which in turn challenges prejudices and opens doors for a more inclusive dialogue. The presentation of this year’s scholarship took place in conjunction with World AIDS Day at Positiva Gruppen Syd’s headquarters and was accompanied by an intimate evening of mingling, a quiz, and a meal.
What is the Peo Scholarship?
Per-Olof “Peo” Persson served as chair of Positiva Gruppen Syd from 1989 to 1993 and was a pioneer in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS both in southern Sweden and nationally, including as vice-chair of RFHP (the National Association for HIV-positive People, now Hiv-Sverige) from 1991 to 1993. Peo passed away in 1995, and since 1996, a commemorative scholarship has been awarded in his name.
Learn more about Peo and the scholarship here: https://www.pgsyd.se/peos-stipendium/