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).
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?
“HIV STIGMA” SO LAST CENTURY, LITERALLY.
I trawl the British newspaper archives to see when “AIDS stigma” and “HIV stigma” entered the conscience of society, when it peaked and declined. And if “HIV stigma” is still present in the 21st century.
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’.
#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.
‘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.
She’s Not Back, She Never Left!
Just as life has got back to a relative norm the dreaded ‘C-word’, Covid has made a seasonal return. For three days I thought I had ‘man-flu’ which turned out to be Covid-19 when confirmed with lateral flow and a lab test.
HM The Queen
I and 'Lost Boy' Rudy camp overnight on The Mall to observe the procession on the gun carriage of Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II. As we patiently waited, we bumped into HM The King and we were accosted LIVE on an Austrian news channel. Over 48 hours with no sleep we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.