World AIDS Day: Panel Recap
December 6, 2023World AIDS Day provides an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the fight against HIV and to acknowledge the advancements in support for individuals living with the virus. In a recent panel hosted by Harriet Lunney, Senior Customer Success Manager at myGwork, experts from diverse backgrounds came together to discuss the ongoing work needed to combat stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV. The panelists emphasized the significance of celebrating World AIDS Day as a critical step towards achieving the goal of eradicating HIV transmission by 2030.
Harriet Lunney opened the discussion by sharing her personal connection to HIV. She spoke about how a family member contracting HIV had a profound impact on her journey of allyship and advocacy. Lunney's opening remarks set the stage for the panelists to delve into their own experiences and insights.
Phil Samba, Strategic Lead for PrEP4QueerMenofColour at Prepster, highlighted the importance of World AIDS Day in combating stigma and raising awareness. He emphasized that while progress has been made, it is crucial not to become complacent, urging the HIV and sexual health sector to recognize that HIV stigma still exists and that efforts to reduce stigma must extend to all communities.
“World AIDS Day acts as a reminder that this stigma still exists and that there's still more work to do,” he said. “I think sometimes in the HIV and sexual sector we can get a little bit complacent and think that we've reached these numbers, or say the stats are going down in one group, but it doesn't mean it affects everyone. World AIDS Day is a constant reminder that there's still work to do, and that we also need to stick together in order to reduce some HIV stigma amongst all different communities."
Sue Hunter, Positive Voices Coordinator at Terrence Higgins Trust, shared her pride in being connected to people living with HIV. She spoke candidly about her own HIV status and how openly discussing it has become an integral part of her life. Her empowering words demonstrated the power of advocacy and the importance of normalizing conversations surrounding HIV.
“I am privileged and proud to be connected to 36 amazing people that are living with HIV who are positive voices speakers,” she expressed. “I'm honored to say now I have some of the most amazing people in my life as a woman living with HIV and I speak very openly about my status.”
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Adam Cartledge, Director of Global Sales Enablement at RX Global, and Kurt Macher, General Manager at Shangri-La At The Shard, both shared deeply personal perspectives, describing their own stories relating to HIV. Adam spoke about how receiving his diagnosis forced him to reevaluate his priorities and focus on self-care. Cartledge stressed the importance of prioritizing your own health and embracing the journey to happiness and personal growth.
“When I got my diagnosis, it really forced me to reevaluate my priorities for myself first,” Adam recounted. “My health became more important. I began to feel less selfish about compromising. And since that time 10 years ago, my career has taken off, and my life has just gone from strength to strength and I'm the happiest I've ever been. It was a bit of a devastating experience at first, but it actually was probably one of the most powerful turning points in my life.”
George Grammer-Taylor, Trainee Solicitor at Clyde & Co, expressed concern about the lack of sexual health service utilization among individuals in young people, hoping to address this issue by exploring the implementation of in-house testing and normalizing conversations surrounding sexual health. He underscored the significance of sharing knowledge, cultivating pride, and being an ally to those living with HIV.
“For me it's ever so concerning how people of my age group just don't use sexual health services. I'm currently looking into bringing in in-house testing or creating an outsourced testing and just really normalizing conversations,” he said. “I don't think anyone's too old or too young, your personal characteristics don’t come into it. No one's immune to anything, right? We're all open to what can happen. The most important thing here in regard to education awareness is just sharing knowledge and also pride. I'm really proud of my friends who live with HIV. I'm really proud to be an ally to those with HIV. And I'm really proud to discuss and raise awareness with every single person I talk to about it.”
Marc Oldland, PMO Lead at the BBC, candidly discussed his experience with the stigma surrounding HIV in the past. He noted that back in 2006, open discussions about the virus were taboo, especially in the gay community.
““When I was diagnosed back in 2006, nobody on the gay scene talked about it,” he told us. “It was very much a very ‘disgusting’ kind of thing, still. It wasn't really educated very well, in the North especially, so it was hard for me. It pushed me into a place where I couldn't reveal my status to people. I didn't come out about my status for 5 years to my family and my friends because I was disgusted with myself. It was a difficult time. I'm really pleased that time has progressed really well. I'm moving a lot of circles now where it’s really a lot more accepting especially across the gay communities.”
The panelists' diverse perspectives shed light on the progress made in the fight against HIV while acknowledging the challenges that remain. By sharing their personal journeys and insights, they emphasized the importance of continued education, awareness, and support for individuals living with HIV. The panel served as a reminder that World AIDS Day plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, reducing stigma, and working towards a future free from HIV transmission. Only through collective efforts can we hope to achieve a world where the transmission of HIV is eradicated by 2030.
Click here to watch the full World AIDS Day panel.
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