Sunday 21st July is International Zero HIV Stigma Day.
The date for this event was chosen because it was the birthday of a very courageous woman from South Africa, Prudence Nobantu Mbele, who refused to hide the fact that she was living with HIV, and in doing so, she inspired many more people to be open about their own health.
HIV Stigma is fortunately back in the spotlight. If we can tackle HIV stigma on a community level , we give more people the courage to test for HIV, to start antiretroviral therapy, continue their access to HIV healthcare, and therefore live their life to their full potential.
Stigmatising attitudes can come from external sources such as people who are afraid or not up to date with the modern realities of living with HIV. However, for some people living with HIV, stigma can also come from within oneself manifesting as a fear of how people will react if they discover that you are living with HIV. Many activists, like Prudence was, are vocal about their HIV diagnosis to help to address stigma in society and to enable people living with HIV to be treated the same as anyone else. .
This is the second year of International Zero HIV Stigma Day. Last year in Brighton and Hove, the council provided funding for NHS and HIV organisations to promote Zero HIV Stigma Day through an event in Jubilee Square where people living with HIV could meet and share with members of the public the realities of living with HIV today. Last years event was so successful that again we have Jubilee Square to promote these important health messages, but new this year will be a greater cross city effort to educate and inform throughout the city.
Have a look at some more photographs from last years Zero Stigma Day
Things to look out for this years Zero HIV Stigma Day…
The theme for this year’s International Zero HIV Stigma Day is “Redefining HIV narratives”. This means challenging the myths about HIV from the past, and capturing positive stories on living with HIV today.
We have a number of activities in Brighton and Hove on 21st July and leading up to that date. These have been organised by the Zero HIV Stigma Planning Group that has representatives from THT, Brighton and Hove Council, Lawson Unit, More to me than HIV, and The Martin Fisher Foundation.
Sunday 21st July @ Jubilee Square (Brighton) 1-2pm
The highlight of the day is a Community event and call to action with speeches and music celebrating people living with HIV overcoming stigma.
The Martin Fisher Foundation bus will be travelling throughout the city with information on HIV and HIV Stigma clearly on display for as many people to see as possible. The bus can be tracked through Brighton and Hove Buses website.
The “More to me than HIV” exhibition will be on display in the foyer exhibition space of the Jubilee Library from the 15th to 21st July. This exhibition shows portraits of people proudly living with HIV and refusing to be defined by it.
Look out for the Zero HIV Stigma Day messages at bus stops, (see examples of the bus adverts below) and see the Brighton and Hove City Council dedicated webpage https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/support-improve-your-health/zero-hiv-stigma-day
Wide circulation across University Hospitals Sussex promoting positive actions to reduce HIV Stigma in healthcare settings.
Faith organisations have been approached to emphasise the messages that everyone is welcome in their organisations and to be mindful of that in the lead up to Zero HIV Stigma Day and particularly on Sunday 21 July.
THT’s Positive Voices speakers will be visiting schools to promote the importance of treating people with HIV with respect and how removing stigma will help people come forward to test and end new cases of HIV. Schools have also been sent education packages for distribution.
There is a targeted media campaign with Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and the City Council – you may see some of these images appear on social media, bus stops adverts and billboards across the city over the next few days
