Over 20 Organizations Partner Against HIV Stigma

HIV organizations and charities are partnering to hold a march, vigil, and rally in order to fight stigma.

Set to take place in London on Saturday October 1, people will begin gathering at Belvedere Road, opposite St Thomas’ Hospital, from 12 p.m., according to Gay Times.

The march will cross Westminster Bridge, past Downing Street, and finish in Trafalgar Square. The event is open to people living with HIV, as well as allies to those who are.

Confirmed speakers so far include Ian Green of Terrence Higgins Trust, Michelle Bockor of Positively UK, Ese Johnson of Waverley Care, and Rev Ije Ajibade of Southwark Cathedral.

Events before the march are being organized by the Terrence Higgins Trust to ensure everyone feels as comfortable as possible, which you can learn more about here.

According to the most recent estimates, 106,890 people were believed to be living with HIV in the UK in 2019 – 5,150 of which are believed to be undiagnosed. New diagnoses have been declining since their peak in 2005, with the government sharing its plan to reach zero new cases by 2030 on World AIDS Day in 2021.

The UK has one of the biggest decreases in new HIV diagnoses worldwide. The government reported a 35% reduction in new diagnoses in England between 2014 and 2019.

More than half of women living with the virus in the UK have experienced violence because of their HIV status, according to Terrence Higgins Trust.

Just three in ten members of the British public say they would feel comfortable going on a date with someone who is HIV positive, with the vast majority saying that they would not have sexual intercourse with someone who is on effective treatment.

Those wishing to attend to the march and vigil are advised not to bring candles to the vigil as these are not allowed in Trafalgar Square.

The full list of organisations taking part in the march, vigil and rally can be found below:

• African Health Policy Network
• BHA for Equality
• BASHH
• BHIVA
• Brigstowe
• CliniQ
• Fast Track Cardiff and Vale
• George House Trust
• GMB
• i-Base
• LGBT Foundation
• LGBT HERO
• Love Tank
• Medway Pride
• Metro Mildmay Mission Hospital
• National AIDS Map
• National AIDS Trust
• NAZ Project
• One Voice Network
• Out2Swim
• OutdoorLads
• OutForSport
• Plus Health
• Positive East
• Positively UK
• Sickle Cell Society
• Sophia Forum
• Spectra London
• Sussex Beacon
• Terrence Higgins Trust
• Trade Sexual Health
• Unison South East and London
• UK-CAB
• Wandsworth OASIS
• Waverley Care
• Yorkshire MESMAC

Read related myGwork articles here:

HIV Is Now Diagnosed More Often In Straight People Than Gay And Bisexual Men

HIV Documentary Highlights “Terror” Felt By Gay Community “Absolute Attack On Homosexuals”

UK Government Publishes HIV Action Plan To End New Infections By 2030

“I Truly Believe It’s Time to Change the Narrative Around HIV and Understand That What’s Missing the Most Right Now Is Love”: Felice Marano on His Diagnosis and How We Need to Stand Up to Ignorance

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