Monday 21st July 2025 was the third International Zero HIV Stigma Day.
This year we continued to build on the activities and successes of the previous two years. Here are some of the highlights:
- Digital media campaign by Terrence Higgins Trust in the lead up to 21st July with Bus Stop adverts arranged by Brighton and Hove Council.
- Martin Fisher Foundation Bus. There were 819 journeys on the Martin Fisher Foundation bus on the No 7 bus route throughout the day on 21st July.
- Jubilee Square Event 1-2pm
We were very fortunate to receive funding from Brighton and Hove Council alongside a contribution from the Martin Fisher Foundation again this year for the digital media campaign and for a community event in Jubilee Square, Brighton 1-2 pm on Zero HIV Stigma Day.
This pop-up event was hosted by Sally Vate, Brighton’s Sweetheart and Panto Dame with music from the Rainbow Chorus, food and drink by Lunch Positive and a visual display of anti- stigma messages from the Sussex Beacon “Stigma Warriors”. There were inspiring speeches from people living with HIV, Brighton and Hove City Council and University Hospitals Sussex.
With many thanks to the following for their participation and contribution to the whole Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025 programme:
Sally Vate, The Rainbow Chorus, Michael Smith, Ellie Harrison, Fungai Murau, Sue Hunter, Gary Pargeter, David McGregor, David Grantham, Lunch Positive, Ledward Centre, The Sussex Beacon, Marc Tweed and the Terrence Higgins Trust, Stephen Nicholson, Lawson Unit at University Hospitals Sussex, Simon Pepper Photography, Brighton & Hove Buses, Brighton Fringe and Sussex HIV Chaplaincy.
Our HIV Stigma call to action:
- See the person, not the virus
- Be the cure for HIV stigma
- Change the way you think and talk about HIV
If you would like to join our work on making Brighton and Hove an HIV stigma free city and have skills that can help our workstreams on healthcare, empowering people living with HIV, schools/education, faith, arts and public relations/marketing, please e-mail us on [email protected].
Or join as an ally and we will keep you up to date with activities, events and messaging.
This event was organised and delivered by a collaboration of organisations across Brighton and Hove:
Why is 21 July Zero HIV Stigma Day?
This date honours Prudence Nobantu Mabele, the first woman in South Africa to publicly share her HIV status. Her courage has inspired people around the world and now, her birthday marks International Zero HIV Stigma Day.
Despite advances in treatment, HIV stigma remains a serious issue. In the UK in 2022:
- 31% of people living with HIV felt lonely or isolated
- 10% experienced verbal harassment
- 9% were afraid to be in public places.
But together, we can change this.
What people living with HIV say
Stigma isn’t just a word; it’s something people living with HIV face in their daily lives. These powerful statements, shared by people with lived experience, highlight the real impact of HIV stigma and the strength it takes to challenge it.
‘HIV doesn’t stigmatise-people do.’
‘Stigma hurts more than HIV.’
‘HIV isn’t a barrier to being or doing anything I want.’
‘HIV is a health condition, not an identity.’
Read more lived experiences here: MoreToMeThanHIV.org.uk
How you can help
We want Brighton & Hove to be a city where people living with HIV feel free to share their status without fear or judgement. You can be part of the solution:
- See the person, not the virus
- Be the cure for HIV stigma
- Change the way you think and talk about HIV.
Contact us at [email protected] to join our ongoing work to end HIV stigma in Brighton & Hove and learn more about HIV stigma here:
- 30 Seconds to Beat HIV
- AIDS is Over – If You Want It (Animation)
- Become an HIV ally (sign up to mailing list)
Let’s make HIV stigma history.
#ZeroHIVStigmaDay
Last page update 31/07/2025
