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.
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.
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!
#ReclaimingTheTombstone
When listening to an episode on ‘The HIV Podcast’ discussing the 1980s ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’ TV advert with the falling tombstone. I was inspired and fired up to ‘attempt’ to recreate my own updated version.
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.