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How Phil Samba is Breaking Barriers in Sexual Health Advocacy and Fighting HIV Stigma
Phil Samba, a passionate HIV activist, educator, writer and host of The Other Blue Pill podcast, is on a mission to shed light on the lesser-known history of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and its delayed introduction into the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Through his work, Samba aims to dismantle systemic inequalities in healthcare, especially within Black and LGBTQ+ communities, while raising awareness about the importance of sexual health education and the need for inclusive, stigma-free healthcare services.
As a senior consultant at PrEPster, a UK-based organization that advocates for wider access to HIV prevention methods, Samba’s influence in the public health sector continues to grow. Through his podcast, advocacy, and consulting work, Samba is making waves in the world of HIV prevention, creating pathways for marginalized communities to access the care they need. Phil sat down with Sassy founder, Bethany Burgoyne, to discuss the learning curves and motivations of his work weaving his personal life into the professional field he moves within.
Continue watching the full episode on YouTube
Breaking the Silence on PrEP
In his podcast, *The Other Blue Pill*, Phil Samba delves into the often overlooked history of PrEP, a medication that prevents HIV transmission. PrEP’s journey from its approval in the U.S. in 2012 to its eventual introduction in the UK in 2020 was a long and arduous one. Samba, who has closely followed this timeline, highlights the frustrating delays in making this life-saving drug accessible to the people who need it most.
"It wasn’t a smooth transition, and it wasn’t something that happened very quickly," Samba explains. “We didn’t get it officially here until 2020,” a full eight years after it was approved in the United States. Samba points to the *PrEP Impact Trial*, a three-year program designed to measure public uptake of the drug, as one of the many roadblocks in making the drug widely available. "It was really ridiculous and felt like a way for the NHS to delay action," Samba says, reflecting on how critical the drug was for HIV prevention, especially for vulnerable populations.
The delays weren’t just bureaucratic but also political. Samba explains that after the NHS was sued twice by the National AIDS Trust, PrEP was finally made available to the public. "It took legal battles to make this happen," he adds, highlighting the challenges that often come with advocating for change in the healthcare system. This history, Samba notes, is vital to understand because it mirrors the struggles faced today in bringing other sexual health treatments to the forefront.
Parallels Between PrEP and DoxyPEP
In recent years, another breakthrough in sexual health prevention has emerged in the form of DoxyPEP, a preventive treatment for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Samba sees striking similarities between the barriers faced in bringing PrEP to the UK and the current challenges with DoxyPEP.
"The parallels between PrEP and DoxyPEP are insane," Samba remarks. "People were buying PrEP online back then, just like they’re buying DoxyPEP now." In both cases, vital information was often disseminated through online communities rather than medical authorities, as official bodies were slow to act. Samba shares his frustration at seeing history repeat itself. "We’re seeing the same delays, the same hesitations, and the same disregard for the needs of marginalized communities," he says, emphasizing that despite advancements in sexual health, systemic barriers remain.
We were calling for vaccines, but nothing happened until it spread everywhere. It’s like ignoring queer people in the sector all over again
Samba also reflects on the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak among gay and bisexual men, drawing attention to how calls for vaccine rollouts were ignored until the virus spread widely. "We were calling for vaccines, but nothing happened until it spread everywhere," he recalls. "It’s like ignoring queer people in the sector all over again." This recurring neglect, Samba says, makes it clear that the fight for equitable healthcare access is far from over.
Addressing Mistrust and Inequality in Black Communities
Samba’s work goes beyond advocating for PrEP and DoxyPEP. He’s also passionate about addressing the mistrust of healthcare services within Black communities, particularly among migrants. "There’s a lot of misunderstanding around the NHS," Samba explains, noting that many people believe accessing healthcare might affect their immigration status, leading them to avoid seeking help. "People think if they use health services, it’ll impact their immigration, so they don’t go," he says. This misconception leads to untreated health issues, further perpetuating inequalities in access to care.
I didn’t see many people who looked like me in sexual health campaigns or in the public health sector, and that made me feel like I wasn’t being represented
In addition to this mistrust, Samba highlights the negative experiences many Black individuals face in clinical settings. "A lot of Black people have had really bad experiences in hospitals, not just in sexual health clinics, but across the board," he explains. Samba recalls his grandmother’s reluctance to seek medical care after enduring mistreatment in hospitals. "She’s had bad experiences, and now she avoids going, even when she needs to," he shares, emphasizing the long-lasting effects of poor healthcare experiences.
Samba also points to the underfunding and understaffing of sexual health services as a key issue. "Lots of clinics don’t have enough money or staff, so there aren’t enough appointments," he says, noting how this leads to longer wait times and fewer people getting the care they need.
The Fight for Inclusive Sex Education
One of Samba’s most personal causes is improving sex education in the UK. Reflecting on his own experience, he shares, "All I was taught was that if you don’t wear a condom, a woman will get pregnant. There was nothing about consent, STIs, or accessing sexual health clinics." For Samba, the lack of comprehensive sex education in schools is a major issue, and he advocates for a more inclusive curriculum that covers topics like kinks, fetishes, and gender identity.
If I could change anything, it would be to make sex education inclusive for all people in all different ways.
"I find it insane that these basics aren’t part of the core curriculum," Samba says. He believes that inclusive sex education is vital for helping young people understand their sexuality and feel comfortable with who they are. "If I could change anything, it would be to make sex education inclusive for all people in all different ways," he adds.
As someone who grew up feeling pressured to be perfect, Samba also emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance. "You are perfect the way you are, and comparison will kill you," he says. For him, living authentically and unapologetically is key to happiness. "You need to live your life and not try to make others happy."
A Vision for a Healthier Future
Phil Samba’s work as a sexual health activist, educator, and advocate is transforming lives. Through his podcast The Other Blue Pill, his advocacy with PrEPster, and his personal mission to improve sex education, Samba is creating a future where healthcare is more inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all. His dedication to breaking down barriers and raising awareness around HIV prevention and sexual health continues to inspire change in both marginalized communities and the wider public health sector. As Samba puts it, "Be unapologetically yourself." His message of self-acceptance and advocacy for others serves as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight for better healthcare for all.
Keep up to date with Phil Samba's work via IG and X @idiosyncraticxl
Interview by Bethany Burgoyne @bxsassy2
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