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.
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?
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.
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.
THE WARD - REVISITED
The Ward – Revisited marks 30 years since Gideon Mendel photographed John, Andre, Steven and Ian in the AIDS wards at the Middlesex Hospital. I visited the exhibition on 18 January and was truly moved and inspired by the sheer courage and bravery of the men and their partners, family and friends.
Me, an Inspiration for HIV Blackmail.
From my experience of HIV blackmail by a member of the LGBT community I share my thoughts on what inspired such a malicious act. I share why I believe HIV blackmail today comes from the unchallenged, woke & self-righteous within the LGBT “community” as opposed to the rhetoric of ‘HIV stigma’.
Lost Community?
A year since publication and I spill the tea on trying to market a book on HIV stigma in the LGBT “community”/media. An LGBT media outlet telling me to “tone down the HIV stigma” and how competitive the HIV “community” is and those that put me and my story on ‘mute’.
My First HIV Christmas
Despite being HIV positive for two and half years this was my first Christmas celebration since my HIV diagnosis. I chose to spend Christmas alone and thoroughly enjoyed it with good food, wine, Christmas pudding and nostalgic television.
‘Don’t bite the hand that, TREATS you’!
When accessing HIV care makes me feel like a ‘HIV hostage’ when on the receiving end of surly staff. Is bad service justifiable when a minority of the LGBT HIV community treat staff appallingly.
“DON’T HIRE HIM, HE’S GOT AIDS” SAY’S SOHO PUB.
The ‘Lost Boys’ Soho boozer gave a job reference over the phone stating: “don’t hire him, he’s got AIDS”. The interview that had already been confirmed was withdrawn when the pub confirmed it had spoken to Adam.
Spillin’ the Tea with Gloria!
Gloria gets Will to spill the tea on his working relationship with the actual ‘Lost Boys’ of Soho. And in an added surprise Gloria and Will find themselves hosting ‘The Shadey’s’, the shadiest awards on the airwaves.
Spillin’ the Tea with Gloria!
Gloria invites Will around for tea and cake and talks about his and ‘Lost Boy’ Adam's working relationship. Will and Adam initially get along well until Adam accuses Will of being Covid-19 positive at work. Their working relationship takes a dramatic nose dive when Will insists on proving his covid-19 status.
Spillin’ the Tea with Gloria!
Gloria invites Will around for a brew and talks about his and ‘Lost Boy’ Jack’s relationship. Will talks about how his HIV diagnosis was delivered over the phone and the colleague who blackmailed him to either quit his job or be exposed as living with “AIDS” [HIV]. Gloria talks about that moment on the sofa and how it gave Gloria “fanny flutters”
Diagnosis Lockdown
Diagnosed HIV positive the day the Coronavirus Act 2020 gets royal assent. To collecting antiviral treatment the following day as the national lockdown is legally imposed upon the nation.