We look to shine a light on issues not cast heat.
Discrimination, Health, LGBTQ+

Spotlight on:
The History Of Rights – HIV And AIDs In The UK

Image used from flickr
Welcome to our week on the history of HIV and human rights in the UK
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The concept for this podcast first came during the early days of lockdown. As horrifying news about the impact of COVID and lockdowns across the world was emerging, we also saw groups of Italians singing out from their balconies, in a beautiful moment of connection - described as the resilience of ordinary people. And this wasn’t the only place where people were coming together to make a point – Spain sang too, and in Brazil people were banging saucepans in solidarity to protest against Bolsonaro. In addition to the coming together as a community - there were also calls to improve things for the future, or rather to "build back better” which is a term for the reconstruction phase that creates resilience against future disasters. But what if the opportunity afforded us at this liminal moment is greater than building a stronger dam or higher walls? What if we take the opportunity to change every aspect of life that hadn’t been working before? What if we take the opportunity to listen to people who were already doing things differently? Arundhati Roy wrote about this opportunity to do something differently, seeing the pandemic as “a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.” Making change out of trauma is at the heart of human rights. In 1948, people came together in solidarity to create a means by which to ensure the atrocities of the war never happened again. Out of darkness came a new road map to ensure the rights of all people everywhere and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. While the pandemic afforded us the opportunity to make change, we also realise - and have seen - that shifts can just as quickly shift back. When I came up with the idea for this podcast, I wanted to hear from people who had already made something different happen, whether working on a project that features the community it represents, or founding an organisation that sets off down a different road because they felt they had no other choice. I wanted to celebrate the connectivity, the optimism and the hope on display amid all the grieving and fear, not only during the pandemic. I was on the lookout for stories about people coming together to make a collective difference, stories about the implementation of huge change, and about how this might contribute to a different vision of the world. Many of the interviews I did were during lockdown - a couple from right at the beginning of the pandemic - but all of them still have big lessons and insights for us now. The first episode features Peter Hoar, award-winning director of 'Its A Sin'. We talked about representation, why it was important that gay actors filled gay roles in this Russell T Davies Channel 4 series, and more. Our planned launch tallied with a march at the end of this week in London, on October 1, aiming to raise awareness around the stigma still attached to HIV. So, we wanted to open up some of the issues raised by 'Its A Sin' and by my conversation with Peter, looking at the history of HIV and human rights in the UK. Welcome to our first podcast and our first season of No Going Back.

We're launching this podcast this week as its also the week a march takes place in London to fight HIV stigma

Respect my HIV Protest in London in 2019 Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

The Fighting HIV Stigma march and rally, involving many different organisations, takes place on 1 Oct 2022

People are gathering at Belvedere Road (behind County Hall, opposite St Thomas’s Hospital) from 12.00noon.

The march will begin at 1.00pm and will go across Westminster Bridge, past Downing Street and finish at Trafalgar Square.

Find out more about the march here

Our podcast and more on HIV and rights

If you have been affected by the themes in this Spotlight - a list of resources and helplines can be found below:

The Love Tank
The Love Tank

The Love Tank is a not-for-profit community interest community (CIC) that promotes health + wellbeing of under served communities through education, capacity building + research. Established in March 2018, The Love Tank developed from the work of PrEPster – a grass-roots community initiative that educates + agitates for PrEP access in England + beyond. PrEPster is now a project of The Love Tank. The Love Tank is run by a small London-based team with a unique mix of community advocacy, public health, health promotion and equalities expertise.

Click here for more info
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust

Since 1982 we've been supporting people impacted by HIV and poor sexual health.

Click here for more info
The Sophia Forum
The Sophia Forum

Sophia Forum promotes and advocates for the rights, health, welfare and dignity of women living with HIV through research, raising awareness and influencing policy. We do this through: Developing and delivering our advocacy programme Bringing together information and research on the issues affecting women living with HIV Creating partnerships with organisations and individuals delivering services Building relationships with policy makers We make sure that women living with HIV are meaningfully involved in all our work. Many of our current supporters are individuals active in development, research, health and HIV charities. Others contribute their experience in business, law and education.

Click here for more info
Body and Soul Charity
Body and Soul Charity

Body & Soul is an innovative charity that uses a comprehensive, community-based and trauma informed approach to address the life-threatening effects of childhood adversity in people of all ages. In 1996 Body & Soul was established to address the gap in HIV services that provided targeted support for children, young people, and families. We have developed a ‘whole person’ model of care rooted in a strengths based approach that nurtures connection, healing and growth. Our approach is evidence based and informs all that we do. We take a systemic and humanistic approach that is collaborative and solution focused. Through building members’ protective factors we promote and develop resiliency, interrupt latent vulnerability and transform lives.

Click here for more info
Positively UK
Positively UK

We are positive. We can help. Talk to us about any aspect of your diagnosis, care and living with HIV.

Click here for more info
The National AIDS Trust
The National AIDS Trust

We're the UK's HIV rights charity. We work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions

Click here for more info
CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association)
CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association)

Enhancing the health and psychosocial wellbeing of children, young people and young adults living with HIV. Chiva’s mission is to ensure that children, young people and young adults growing up with HIV become healthier, happier and more in control of their own futures. Chiva works to ensure young people living with HIV have the treatment and care, knowledge, understanding, skills and wider support needed to live well and achieve their greatest potential.

Click here for more info
HIV Scotland
HIV Scotland

We are Scotland’s national HIV Charity Providing free access to HIV self-sampling to anyone living in Scotland

Click here for more info
MESMAC
MESMAC

Yorkshire MESMAC is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the country. We offer services to various communities across Yorkshire, including men who have sex with men, people of colour and other marginalised races, people misusing drugs, sex workers and LGBT+ young people and adults.

Click here for more info

Marc Thompson's award-winning podcast

2021 marks 40 years since the first cases of HIV or as it was known then 'Gay-Related Immune Deficiency', were identified. It would go on to become one of the most impactful and stigmatised global pandemics in history. This series brings together the unheard voices and the untold stories of those who were most affected but are often missing from the mainstream narratives. The experiences of women, Black People, Trans Community, Sex workers. Clinicians on the front line, People of Colour, volunteers who built helplines from their bedrooms, that rallied together so that no one had to be alone. These are stories of loss, activism, rage, resilience, and - most importantly - community.

The series is produced and sound designed by Hana Walker-Brown and hosted by Marc Thompson who has lived with HIV since 1986. He has been on the frontlines of social justice activism and education and is one of Britain’s most prominent HIV activists.

Find out more about 'We Were Always Here'

We Were Always Here - A podcast by Marc Thompson

During the 1980's, Marc Thompson found his feet and his people as a young Black gay man in Brixton, South East London, enjoying everything that life and his community had to offer; family, parties and a safe space to express himself. At the same time, reports of a strange cancer that had been affecting young white gay men begun to emerge from America. It was like a mist, slowly creeping into the consciousness of Marc and his friends. But it was over there and these were white men, so there wasn't anything to worry about it, was there?
During the 1980's, Marc Thompson found his feet and his people as a young Black gay man in Brixton, South East London, enjoying everything that life and his community had to offer; family, parties and a safe space to express himself. At the same time, reports of a strange cancer that had been affecting young white gay men begun to emerge from America. It was like a mist, slowly creeping into the consciousness of Marc and his friends. But it was over there and these were white men, so there wasn't anything to worry about it, was there? Episode 1 - They Weren't Us
Following the discovery of LAV and HTVL-III , the identical viruses believed to cause AIDS, a blood test is developed in 1985 to screen for the disease. Marc Thompson, then a teenager, is pursuaded by friends to take it. The dialogue around AIDS is increasing, though there is still so much unknown. Rock Hudson, a prolific Hollywood actor has died at this point, but there is still nothing that really connects the Black, gay community in South East London to this disease. They felt safe in their world, but that world was about to change forever.
Following the discovery of LAV and HTVL-III , the identical viruses believed to cause AIDS, a blood test is developed in 1985 to screen for the disease. Marc Thompson, then a teenager, is pursuaded by friends to take it. The dialogue around AIDS is increasing, though there is still so much unknown. Rock Hudson, a prolific Hollywood actor has died at this point, but there is still nothing that really connects the Black, gay community in South East London to this disease. They felt safe in their world, but that world was about to change forever. Episode 2 - Kaleidoscope
Fear is a tool that is often used in interventions around healthcare. Public information films featuring images of car crashes and injured children have been used to encourage us not to drink alcohol and drive and in more recent years - images of human organs on cigarette packets to encourage us not to smoke. The HIV epidemic was no different and perhaps the most hard hitting of all. Following his positive diagnosis in 1986 at seventeen years old, Marc Thompson suddenly becomes aware of the prevelance of AIDS across the UK and Global Media and one campaign in particular that would go on to define the era.
Fear is a tool that is often used in interventions around healthcare. Public information films featuring images of car crashes and injured children have been used to encourage us not to drink alcohol and drive and in more recent years - images of human organs on cigarette packets to encourage us not to smoke. The HIV epidemic was no different and perhaps the most hard hitting of all. Following his positive diagnosis in 1986 at seventeen years old, Marc Thompson suddenly becomes aware of the prevelance of AIDS across the UK and Global Media and one campaign in particular that would go on to define the era. Episode 3 - Don't Aid Aids
In 1987, 71,751 cases of AIDS had been reported to the world health organisation. They estimated that 5-10 million people were living with HIV worldwide. The epidemic didn’t just affect individuals, it impacted households, and communities. Against the backdrop of a conversative government with Section 28 just around the corner, there was a tradition of volunteering and community involvement and a very ‘English’ approach to fighting the system. People looked out for people. And that was true of the response to the AIDS epidemic.You just had to find yours. This was the start of the response.
In 1987, 71,751 cases of AIDS had been reported to the world health organisation. They estimated that 5-10 million people were living with HIV worldwide. The epidemic didn’t just affect individuals, it impacted households, and communities. Against the backdrop of a conversative government with Section 28 just around the corner, there was a tradition of volunteering and community involvement and a very ‘English’ approach to fighting the system. People looked out for people. And that was true of the response to the AIDS epidemic.You just had to find yours. This was the start of the response. Episode 4 - First Response
Between the first case of HIV in 1981 and 1987, AIDS was unstoppable. The glimmer of hope came in 1987 when the drug, AZT, an antiretroviral medication was fastracked under enormous public pressure. What followed was a controversial trial. At the same time more and more cases of HIV were being reported, from both the African Continent and in Women.
Between the first case of HIV in 1981 and 1987, AIDS was unstoppable. The glimmer of hope came in 1987 when the drug, AZT, an antiretroviral medication was fastracked under enormous public pressure. What followed was a controversial trial. At the same time more and more cases of HIV were being reported, from both the African Continent and in Women. Episode 5 - Body and Soul
Since the start of epidemic, women in many regions have been disproportionately affected by HIV. Today, women make up more than half of all people living with HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. In 1986 the ratio of male to female of HIV cases in the UK was 33 to one. By 1989, it was estimated that women accounted for a third of HIV cases worldwide, with several thousand diagnosed in the UK. In the first of this two part episode, women share their recollections of diagnosis.
Since the start of epidemic, women in many regions have been disproportionately affected by HIV. Today, women make up more than half of all people living with HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. In 1986 the ratio of male to female of HIV cases in the UK was 33 to one. By 1989, it was estimated that women accounted for a third of HIV cases worldwide, with several thousand diagnosed in the UK. In the first of this two part episode, women share their recollections of diagnosis. Episode 6 - Positively Women Part 1
Positively Women was created by HIV positive women for HIV positive women. Two of the founders discuss the groups inception, the services they offered, and Princess Diana's chic suit. But some women still fell through the cracks.
Positively Women was created by HIV positive women for HIV positive women. Two of the founders discuss the groups inception, the services they offered, and Princess Diana's chic suit. But some women still fell through the cracks. Episode 7 - Positively Women Part 2
During the 1990's the prevelance of HIV increased across the mainstream media in part due to celebrities taking to the world stage to disclose their diagnosis. First it was Magic Johnson, a week later singer Freddy Mercury would announce he had aids. He died the next day. Then there would be tennis star Arthur Ashe who had contracted the virus during a blood transfusion in 1982. Up to 5000 peope were thought to have been infected with HIV via contaminated blood transfusion in the 1980's. This episode looks at the role the media and the government played in stigma and those who fought to dispel it.
During the 1990's the prevelance of HIV increased across the mainstream media in part due to celebrities taking to the world stage to disclose their diagnosis. First it was Magic Johnson, a week later singer Freddy Mercury would announce he had aids. He died the next day. Then there would be tennis star Arthur Ashe who had contracted the virus during a blood transfusion in 1982. Up to 5000 peope were thought to have been infected with HIV via contaminated blood transfusion in the 1980's. This episode looks at the role the media and the government played in stigma and those who fought to dispel it. Episode 8 - Human Rights and Wrongs
As we move into the 2000's, the demographic of HIV is changing as are the policies surrounding treatment. At an International medical trail, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is found to be highly effective for treating people with HIV, reducing the risk of infection from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. It was a breakthrough and it was assumed by many that PrEP would be rolled out by the NHS. But it wasn't going to be that simple. The thread of activism that runs through the last decade is reminiscent of the early 80's and 90's and a reminder that the fight to end HIV still very much includes the fight to end stigma.
As we move into the 2000's, the demographic of HIV is changing as are the policies surrounding treatment. At an International medical trail, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is found to be highly effective for treating people with HIV, reducing the risk of infection from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. It was a breakthrough and it was assumed by many that PrEP would be rolled out by the NHS. But it wasn't going to be that simple. The thread of activism that runs through the last decade is reminiscent of the early 80's and 90's and a reminder that the fight to end HIV still very much includes the fight to end stigma. Episode 9 - Still Here

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