Sunday, July 21 marks Zero HIV Stigma Day, a global initiative uniting people and communities to raise awareness of HIV and take action to eliminate HIV stigma in all its forms.
A community event is being held in Jubilee Square, Brighton from 1-2pm in a call to action celebrating people living with HIV overcoming stigma.
Everyone is welcome to this event, bringing people together to hear the experiences of people living with HIV and how to change negative narratives. There will be contributions from supporters and music from Brighton’s LGBTQ+ choir, the Rainbow Chorus.
Almost 40 years ago, the Government’s message was ‘it’s a deadly disease and there’s no known cure.’ While that was true at the time, things have really changed since the fear of the 1980s through to today when people can live a long, healthy life with HIV.
A recent YouGov polling of 2,267 Brits revealed that four in 10 (41%) were uncomfortable going on a date with someone with HIV. While just 16% of respondents are comfortable having sex with someone with HIV who is on effective treatment.
This comes even though people living with HIV who are taking their treatment as prescribed – around 98% of those living with diagnosed HIV in the UK – cannot pass it on to their partners. But worryingly, the data shows less than a quarter of UK adults (23%) know this fact to be true.
More positively, the polling shows 61% of Brits know that someone living with HIV and on treatment can have the same lifespan as anyone else.
HIV is a treatable, manageable health condition, but HIV stigma still hurts and can prevent people from testing or from accessing treatment and care when they are diagnosed. HIV stigma negatively affects quality of life for some people living with HIV, and can make them feel alone and isolated when treated differently to everyone else.
As the UK’s first Fast Track City, Brighton & Hove has been very proactive in addressing HIV stigma and developing its Towards Zero HIV strategy. This project is delivered in partnership, involving people living with HIV and a host of organisations including Brighton & Hove City Council, voluntary sector organisations and community groups and NHS Services.
By 2030, the goal is to achieve:
– ZERO HIV stigma
– ZERO new HIV infections
– ZERO deaths from HIV
In the run up to Zero HIV Stigma Day there is a range of community and awareness raising events:
- A new social media campaign raising local awareness of HV stigma.
- The More to me than HIV Photographic Exhibition, running 15 – 21 July in Jubilee Library, produced by local people living with HIV.
- The Martin Fisher Foundation Bus will be in operation throughout Brighton & Hove on 21 July, displaying awareness messages about HIV stigma.
- Education in schools – during July there will talks given by people living with HIV from THT Positive Voices Speakers.
- Awareness raising across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust promoting positive actions to reduce HIV stigma in healthcare settings.
- Faith organisations have been asked to emphasise the message that everyone regardless of their HIV status is welcome in their organisations on Sunday, 21 July.
Organisers add: “We can only eliminate stigma if we all act together. We invite the residents of Brighton & Hove to join in the events, circulate on social media and be part of becoming the first Zero HIV Stigma city!”
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