World Aids Day & PrEP Awareness Week!
Ahead of PrEP Awareness Week and World Aids Day we are highlighting the facts!
Undetectable = Untransmittable! We’re telling everyone: someone living with HIV and on effective treatment can not pass it on. It’s one of the most positive messages someone living with HIV can hear. It reduces the stigma around HIV and provides motivation to stay on treatment to keep both themselves and their sexual partners healthy. If everyone knew this simple and powerful message, we could bring an end to stigma around HIV. Not only that, but we could stop HIV transmissions altogether.
We know that while amazing medical progress has been made, knowledge of HIV hasn’t kept up with that progress. Stigma that affects people living with HIV also stops others from getting tested. The more people who test and get onto effective treatment, the fewer HIV transmissions will happen.
What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Since 1988, communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost.
Why is World AIDS Day important?
In the UK, more than 105,000 people are living with HIV. Globally, an estimated 38 million people live with the virus. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses over the past 40 years, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Medical advances mean people with HIV in the UK can expect a long and healthy life and that we have the tools to stop HIV transmissions for good. But HIV continues to be highly stigmatised and misunderstood. At National AIDS Trust, the UK’s HIV rights charity, we are contacted weekly by people experiencing discrimination because of HIV, including in work, education, housing and even healthcare.
World AIDS Day exists to shine a light on the real experiences of people living with HIV today, while celebrating the strength, resilience and diversity of the communities most affected. It is a moment to inspire the leadership needed to create a future where HIV doesn’t stand in the way of anyone’s life.
What’s the story behind the red ribbon?
The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. It was first devised in 1991, when twelve artists met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, a New York HIV-awareness arts organisation.
It was there that they came up with what would become one of the most recognised symbols of the decade: the red ribbon, worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV. The artists wanted to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with HIV and chose red for its boldness, and for its symbolic associations with passion, the heart and love.
Local LGBT venues will have these available to purchase.
But what about after World AIDS Day?
We have come so far in HIV, but it’s not over.
The UK government has set a goal of ending HIV transmissions by 2030. This is possible, but not without continued fight for political leadership, investment and a commitment to ending stigma and injustice.
Should I take PrEP?
PrEP can help you stay in control of your sex life and keep you healthy. You can get it for free if you fall into any of the following criteria:
- Gay/Bi men* who have had condomless anal sex in the last six months that’s going to continue.
- Trans women who have had condomless anal sex in the last six months that’s going to continue.
- If you are having condomless sex with an HIV positive partner (Unless they are on treatment and have had undetectable levels of virus in their blood for more than 6 months).
- Straight men and women at risk of catching HIV are eligible, (e.g. Because of your job or if your partner(s) is from an area where HIV is more common).
*and other men who have sex with men
For more information and to get access to PrEP visit-