AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In a series finale Will & Gloria head to Brighton for the bank holiday weekend. The pair learn about the life of the UK’s first openly gay football referee, Norman Redman from West Sussex. Norman had to first contend with teams refusing to play because he was “homosexual”. Then teams refused to play when they learned Norman was “an AIDS carrier” as they deemed him “a health risk”.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In 1985 a 29-year-old man named Roger Youd was subject to a court order detaining him in Monsall Hospital because he wanted to merely “go home”. Manchester council sought the order under the Public Health Act 1984 stating Roger was “very dangerous” to the public because he was "bleeding" and given he had “AIDS”. Little did they know the story would cause a national "furore”.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
A mother learns she is HIV positive days before delivering twins & learns she may have passed the virus on. And One-year-old Antony Thorpe is the first child in the UK to die of AIDS after receiving contaminated blood. And Eileen & Billy Quirk share how their 10-year-old son Stephen Quirk, was the first child living with haemophilia to die of AIDS after receiving contaminated blood products.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
Two men around 30, each with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis are on the same hospital ward. One is a patient and the other, a nurse. Both men were photographed with the late Diana, Princess of Wales . But who were these courageous men, what happened to them and what impact did they have on HIV/AIDS stigma?
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
Scottish artist Edward Cairns, 34, who was also a gay man was found dead at his London home in October 1984. Edward’s untimely death which was thought to be AIDS-related, fell under the scrutiny of the West London Coroner Dr. John Burton. And it didn’t go unnoticed by the Coroner, the sensational headlines in the tabloid press along with the media presence at the inquest.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
Will heads to Slough to surprise the hosts of The HIV podcast, Sarah & Jess. The trio then take a look at the HIVstory of the charity behind the podcast, ‘Thames Valley Positive Support’. Unearthing articles from the newspaper archives over the last four decades that leave the pair furious. Sarah & Jess are then surprised, if not overwhelmed, to hear from two very special guests that were at the heart of it all in the 1980s & 90s.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
When London dentist Vikram Advani died of AIDS-related complications in 1993. Every major newspaper up and down the land seized the opportunity to vilify, stigmatise and besmirch his good name and reputation and memory of those closest to him. Will & Gloria also step back to 1987 and the reporting of the UKs first AIDS-related hospital ward, the Broderip Ward at London’s Middlesex Hospital.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
Will & Gloria stumble across prisoner Del Sinclair, who in 1985 featured in a national newspaper declaring he intended to ‘go straight’ and even publish a book on Prison food. However, 4 weeks later and back on remand Del tested HIV positive and faced threats of violence from other inmates. The pair also uncover several accounts of gay men who were denied post-mortems on the ‘suspicion’ of having AIDS.
AIDS, THE LOST VOICES
Will & Gloria delve into the British newspaper archives of the 80s and 90s AIDS pandemic. In this episode they share the moving story of a 25-year-old man from Portsmouth, Paul Somes who died in Police custody in 1987. The pair are left shocked at how the newspapers decided to report the story.
Me, on The HIV Podcast
After a brief ‘rant’ on The HIV Podcast about being lectured by a HIV charity on how I choose to refer to my HIV. I was then invited by podcast hosts Sarah & Jess of ‘The HIV Podcast’ to talk about HIV and language. A podcast episode with honesty and humour, not to be missed.
World AIDS Day 2023
Gloria spills the tea with author William Hampson on World AIDS Day 2023. They discuss his experience of HIV stigma over the last three years and why he started a UK government petition calling for the government to 'finish what it started' after being silent for almost 40 years since the 1987 AIDS tombstone campaign. And asks why the gay/LGBT media has been unwilling to cover the petition?
HIV ADVERT HITS TV (SCOT)
Out of the blue Sky News announced Terrence Higgins Trust were airing a new updated HIV TV advert in Scotland. The first in 40 years. But how was it received by the public?
“I Want to Break Free”!
Will finds himself trotting around the house in 7-inch heels and a mini skirt trying to emulate the late singer Freddie Mercury. In a take on Queen’s music video ‘I Want to Break Free’ Will attempts to raise awareness and encourage others to sign the petition calling on the UK Government to ‘finish what it started in 1987’ and update the public on HIV and U=U.
The Great British AIDS Stitch Up!
Over 2 months with no response from the Governments Health Secretary, Steve Barclay. Will writes again this time advising he is now, in protest, not taking his daily HIV medication over concerns there has been no follow-up campaign on HIV/AIDS since the Governments 1987 tombstone campaign.
Freddie Mercury: Sotheby’s Exhibition
I visit the Freddie Mercury Exhibition at Sotheby’s Auction house before his home and personal effects go on sale. A mix of furniture, stage costumes, board games and elaborate bric-a-brac.
PARLIAMENT PETITION
After informing (scaring) the nation with its 1987 AIDS monolith TV advert, it is time for the Government to update the public on HIV and the advances in science with a campaign based around "U=U" (Undetectable = Untransmittable).
EVERY STORY MATTERS
I respond to the Covid-19 inquiry by asking for people who lived through the pandemic to come forward with their stories. Understanding the inquiry had been set up to investigate the negative impact of the pandemic I thought I would share my story given the pandemic and lockdown had a positive impact on me and my HIV diagnosis.
THATCHER’S SECTION 28: MADE ME
Twenty years since the repeal of “Section 28” in 2003. Has given way to a cohort of attention seeking, clout munching, twenty-something’s claiming to be traumatised by section 28. Despite not being born nor educated under section 28. Therefore, I share my experience in six schools under section 28 for 13 of it’s 15 year existence. And I don’t hold back!
SOHO Bites Podcast: Nighthawks
SOHO Bites Podcast host Dominic Delargy talks with the author of ‘The Lost Boys of Soho’ William Hampson. Followed by Dominic & Professor Glyn Davis discussing the cultural importance of 1978 gay film ‘Nighthawks’ by Ron Peck and Paul Hallam.
DON’T START WITH ME!
A HIV charity worker takes the trouble to send me a more appropriate ‘HIV language guide’ after reading my book. I ask, why put up barriers to make people more fearful of saying the wrong thing than the virus itself?