Each year, on 1 December, people around the globe come together to commemorate World AIDS Day (WAD). Communities unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses.
This year, to mark World AIDS Day across Merseyside, Sahir House invited the general public to support our campaign to “End Complacency, End Stigma, End Inequalities, End AIDs”
We teamed up with a plethora of local organisations, supporters and allies across Merseyside including Axess Sexual Health and Wirral Sexual Health to educate people about HIV and to remind everyone about the importance of getting tested and practicing safer sex.
Liverpool is a ‘Fast Track City’ committed to ending all new transmissions of HIV by 2030.
Over 36.3 million people worldwide have died of HIV/AIDS related illnesses. An estimated 37.7 million people are currently living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Around 106,890 people in the UK are currently living with HIV, 9750 of whom live in the North West.
Today, with early diagnosis and treatment, people living with HIV can expect to live a normal life span. However, stigma and discrimination are still a reality for many people.
People living with HIV, who are on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), cannot pass the virus on. Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). 99% of those living with HIV in the North West are on ART.
Speaking on the importance of World AIDS Day our CEO, Ant Hopkinson , encouraged members of the public to play a more active role in helping to prevent new cases of HIV and in fighting HIV related stigma. He said:
“Whilst with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled – there is still no cure for the virus. It is still here and we should not be complacent or ignorant of the risks. Every single one of us has a role to play in HIV prevention as well as in supporting those living with HIV. There are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves, our sexual partners, and our loved ones from HIV infection and transmission. We can all help end HIV stigma through our words and actions in our everyday lives.”
World AIDS Day activities across Merseyside commenced early this year with Sahir House recognised as the official charity partner of a new production of Masquerade which showed at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 November.
Theatre Producer and Artistic Director Bill Elms said:
“I am absolutely delighted to have Sahir House on board as the official charity of Masquerade. The play is set in the 1980’s which really was the best and worst of times in the gay community, music and fashion were at its best, but it was also the emergence of the AIDS crisis and the play reflects this strongly within its storyline. It’s the perfect partnership to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS which is still prevalent in the world we live in today. The play is about love, support, care and friendship which I know are also strong fundamentals within Sahir House.”
On World AIDS Day itself, Sahir House hosted a special World AIDS Day Vigil at Liverpool Parish Church (Our Lady and Saint Nicholas). The vigil was very well attended and it was heart-warming to see so many familiar faces back together again after the COVID-19 pandemic forced our events online.
The Rector of Liverpool, the Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, who led the vigil, said:
“Despite nearly forty years of public awareness, there is still much misinformation about HIV/AIDS and events such as World AIDS Day are really important to remind us that all our communities still live with the impact of the virus. At Liverpool Parish Church we are proud to support World AIDS Day and hope that as many people as possible will show their support and solidarity.”
This year’s vigil was punctuated by moving testimonies, poetry and a video from members of our HIV community as well as the beautiful songs from Liverpool Rainbow Chorus. Attendees honoured those we had lost to HIV/AIDS related illnesses – pausing to reflect on our memorial list and lighting candles as a solemn act of remembrance. It was a privilege to welcome Paula Barker, the Labour MP for Wavertree as well as Frazer Lake, Liverpool Councillor for Fazakerley & Cabinet Member for Social Care & Health – who both spoke with passion and authenticity about their support of our community.
Around the Liverpool City Region, people were encouraged to wear a red ribbon, the symbol of HIV awareness for WAD. Civic buildings and important landmarks including St Georges Hall and Radio City Tower in Liverpool as well as the Steve Prescott Bridge in St Helens were lit up red in a sign of solidarity.
Pop-up HIV awareness and information stalls appeared in various locations across the region including:
- Huyton Village
- Shakespeare North Playhouse, Knowsley
- Southport and Formby District General Hospital
- The Book Stop, St Helens
- St Catherine’s Health Centre, Wirral
The public also found WAD posters and leaflets in a variety of settings including doctors’ surgeries, clinics, cafes and bars.
A small remembrance event was held in Birkenhead at the Liberty Bell Coffee Shop – the first time such an event has been organised by Wirral LGBTQ+ Network community members.
On Saturday 3rd December, the public were invited to join National Museums Liverpool at the Treasure House Theatre – located within the City’s beautiful World Museum – for a variety of World AIDS Day talks and activities. Visitors found info stalls hosted by Sahir House, Axess Sexual Health, Merseyside Police and other allied organisations.
To round off World AIDS Day activities, on Wednesday 7th December, local drag performers the Queen of Heartbreak, Dan Chan, Dross, Auntie Climax, Filla Crack, Naffrodite and others – supported by the Secret Circus – hosted a festive-themed drag cabaret at the Fashion Hub with 50% of profits donated to Sahir House.
For more details this year’s World AIDS Day efforts visit the World AIDS Day page on Sahir House’s website: https://sahir.org.uk/world-aids-day/
Stay in the know – sign up to our newsletter for alerts here.