“DON’T HIRE HIM, HE’S GOT AIDS” SAY’S SOHO PUB.
While working in a West End boozer I was browsing the competition via the online job boards. I had noticed given the shortage of staff that higher rates of pay are being offered, in most instances £3-£5 more per hour and it seemed foolish not to take advantage of this. Spotting a pub just a few minutes’ walk from my home I applied with a profile (not my CV) outlining my skills and experience.
I had applied back in November 2021 and after interviewing, was offered the job. However, I’d already accepted an alternate offer albeit with the same company. The individual responded noting she remembered me and asked to come in for an interview which was then termed a ‘coffee and a chat’ stating she knew I was “very experienced” and “a good fit”.
Shortly after I got a text message form one of the ‘Lost Boys’ asking, “did you ask the pub for a reference”? The pub no longer fell into my last two employers and were not listed on my CV as either of the two nominated references, so I curiously replied “no, why”?
I sat puzzled for a few minutes when the ‘Lost Boy’ replied by text “Adam just spoke with someone on the phone asking about you. He said, “don’t hire him he’s got AIDS”! x” Again, the use of the word '“AIDS” in reference to my HIV did not have me stumped nor ‘triggered’. I was more curious about who was seeking a reference from this company as it had not, nor was it ever a nominated referee on my CV. Because the company’s policy stated that it did not give nor respond to reference requests, so it seemed pointless ever using them as a nominated referee.
While this potential employer was not in possession of my CV that has two referees listed, it seemed she was reaching out to those listed in my work experience on the online ‘profile’ [Job Today] that I had sent her when making the application.
Although, the company has absolutely no cause to give me anything but a glowing reference. Given I had never given them cause to complain about my conduct nor work. But all became clear when I received the following message from the interview invite, I had received moments earlier.
“I have spoken to some sites and I am afraid, I am not interested”.
This application was on a whim, it didn’t have any great impact on my working career. But as I sat, knowing this withdrawal of a ‘confirmed interview’ was on the basis of a defamatory statement that I had “AIDS”. And that she was perhaps fearful of catching “AIDS” to warrant I was unsafe to work alongside riled me enough to speak out and not sit back and let this slide.
My first action was to send both the Head Office of the company and the individual site an email to “Cease & Desist” in its actions. I stated it was unlawful to pursue references from organisations I had not nominated and to do so without my knowledge nor consent. Along with the unlawful processing of my personal data and sharing it in order to obtain an ‘alleged reference’ of which was a breach of GDPR and has been reported to the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) for investigation. Also, to withdraw a confirmed invitation to attend an interview, once alerted to the fact I had a disability “AIDS” (HIV) was a breach of the Equality Act 2010. I further had to state that disclosing personal medical history was not only unlawful but was defamatory to be informing individuals I had “AIDS” when I do not have “AIDS”. I have HIV, which is differently entirely, you cannot have “AIDS” and be U=U.
The company responded a few days later:
HR Support
My first thought?
This was ‘exactly’ why I did not want to follow Jack’s naive lead to report the anonymous ‘AIDS’ messages to these dick heads in Human Resources. I am well aware, when a company has to potentially face something that makes them uncomfortable, out comes the sweeping brush.
How on earth can you believe informing an unknown ‘third party’ over the telephone “he has AIDS” is not defamatory given I do not have AIDS. Defamation occurs when someone is defamed and has a financial loss. The same applies here given last year I was offered a role at the pub in question. This time, the invitation to interview was withdrawn once they had been informed, I had “AIDS” therefore a potential loss occurred. Also, that individual is now informed I have “AIDS” and could share the story with others. It’s like falsely labelling someone a ‘paedophile’.
Further, to state informing unknown third parties I have “AIDS” is not a breach of the Equality Act 2010 is incredibly blind if not alarming. Let’s not forget, this is the company who owns a LGBT+ site in Soho. Eek! ‘HIV'/AIDS’ is particularly protected under the Equality Act 2010 and sharing I had “AIDS” [HIV] saw a ‘confirmed interview’ withdrawn. A decision based solely on my HIV status, a ‘disability’ under the Act.
I am thick skinned; Adam saw a ‘cheap’ if not ‘low’ opportunity to seek revenge for my book no doubt. But all he has done is make me wonder what part he played in the anonymous ‘AIDS’ messages last year. I have to say, quite a few scenarios especially the one in the Podcast Episode: Adam is slotting into place a year after the ‘event’.
But seeing my followers posting images and stories from within the pub on a daily basis along with members of parliament on the APPGHIV (All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV) is concerning. My experience and knowledge that they are in a space that is not embracing of an entire LGBT+ community, including PLWHIV who are LGBT+. But as I talk about in my book, the likes of Terrence Higgins Trust whose work is around HIV along with Positive East a HIV charity that does monthly HIV testing in the venue. A venue that, as highlighted above does not believe that using the term “AIDS” in a malicious manner to not be a breach of the Eqiuality Act 2010 nor defamatory, is incredibly alarming.
Something I find in 2022 to be a ‘Grand Shame’!
However, to add balance given I have only lived with HIV a relatively short time of almost 3 years. The HIV discrimination I am faced with here seems to be a ‘tit for tat’ battle with individuals who are substance abusers and as the title of my book suggests ‘Lost Boys’. It has been extremely rare that I have faced similar and/or other types of HIV stigma in my day-to-day life, given, society has come a long way and where individuals have taken the time to educate and understand the difference between HIV and AIDS. Soho, it seems needs a little more work in this area.
