Let’s make Brighton & Hove a zero HIV stigma city
We’re inviting everyone in Brighton & Hove to come together on Monday 21 July to mark Zero HIV Stigma Day – a day of solidarity, education and action. Whether you’re passionate about equality, interested in learning more, or simply want to show your support, this event is for you.
Join us at Jubilee Square between 1 − 2pm for a vibrant pop-up event hosted by Sally Vate, Brighton’s Sweetheart, Male Actress and Panto Dame.
Expect live performances, inspiring voices, community action, and complimentary food and drink. Drop by during your lunch break, have a bite to eat, connect with others, and discover how you can become an ally in the movement to make Brighton & Hove stigma-free:
- Learn how stigma still affects people living with HIV
- Understand how to challenge and change harmful attitudes
- Stand with others committed to making our city safer and more inclusive.
The Martin Fisher Foundation bus will also be travelling along the Number 7 route all day, spreading powerful messages to tackle HIV stigma, so make sure to give it a wave and share on social media using #ZeroHIVStigmaDay.
You can track the bus on this link: https://www.buses.co.uk/fleet-list. Scroll down to the Martin Fisher Bus (vehicle number 438), Click ‘Show on map’
This event is being organised and delivered by a collaboration of organisations across Brighton and Hove (see below for more detail)
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:
Let’s make HIV stigma history.
#ZeroHIVStigmaDay
Contributing organisations:
Last page update 17/07/2025
