Rory O’Neill, AKA Panti Bliss, is a drag performer, LGBTQ+ rights advocate and owner of the famous Dublin gay venue Panti Bar.
Now our lockdowns have come to an end what are you doing to reconnect to your body?
The lockdowns definitely had highs and lows for me – there were patches where I was motivated to eat my greens and patches where a bar of chocolate was my best friend! Now we are returning to ‘normal’ life I have had a bit of a wake-up call of how essential it is to look after my body. As a person living with HIV, I pride myself on being able to flourish with the condition, and listening to what my body needs is the key to that.
Does focusing on your mind also come into that?
I really believe that because we often can’t see the changes in mental health in the same way as our physical health doesn’t mean that it isn’t just as important. For me the way to keep my mind healthy and happy is through social connections.
Throughout the lockdowns my saviour was my lovely little dog Penny, a cheeky Jack Russel mongrel. But now I am back out connecting with my community I realise how much I have missed all the regulars at Panti Bar, from the middle-aged men who sit with a newspaper at the bar all night, to the vibrant young couples!
I am sure they all missed you too! What else is currently exciting you about your everyday life?
I am excited about all the new projects I can start now – it’s all going on! Being thrust into this ‘accidental activist’ role I feel like I might as well run with it. I’ve got podcasts, new drag shows, and important campaigns such as the HIV Find Your Four campaign. This campaign focuses on helping people living with HIV to find four things they want to focus on to help them live well with HIV – something that has really come into focus since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are your (and Panti’s) plans for the future?
Anything is possible for Panti! I have been loving rediscovering Ireland and all the bars, dancing and friends that I have missed, but I can’t wait to get back out there to the rest of the world. My plan is to be sipping cocktails in Sitges as soon as possible!
Find more information on the Find Your Four campaign at HIVfindyourfour.co.uk
The Find Your Four campaign is developed and funded by Gilead Sciences, in collaboration with the HIV community.
November 2021
UK-UNB-1235
