“The stigma around HIV can massively impact on those living with the virus. In the early 1980’s, there was a huge lack of understanding around what HIV was. There was no cure, no effective treatment and a lot of fear. Fast forward to 2021 and people with HIV can expect to live a normal life expectancy and are more likely to die from something other than HIV, but knowledge and understanding has not kept pace. These days, when taking effective treatment, the HIV virus becomes undetectable and can no longer be passed on to others. We call this U=U which means undetectable equals untransmitable. However, the significant stigma for those living with HIV remains. HIV is a long-term chronic health condition, similar to diabetes, but it is not viewed as the same and those with a HIV status can be treated very negatively due to a lack of understanding and stigma. Those disproportionately affected by HIV are gay and bisexual men and African men and women. However, it is not just people in these communities who are living with HIV. There are many groups impacted by HIV, but the important thing to remember is that anyone can be diagnosed with HIV. As a virus, it doesn’t discriminate.
There is work being done to raise awareness including our Positively Speaking programme, where people living with HIV share their story to dispel the myths that still exist. The lived experience of people living with HIV is so important in changing people’s deeply held views.
However, there’s other important things that need to happen including more testing for those who potentially have HIV, ensuring that the funding is available for HIV prevention and HIV support, more training and awareness for first point of contact professionals like GP’s, dentisits, other health professionals and our colleagues across the voluntary sector too. George House Trust continues to work with partner organisations like the LGBT Foundation and BHA for Equality to raise awareness through the Passionate about Sexual Health (PaSH) project in addition to the wide range of other projects that George House Trust offers including access to welfare grants, food parcels, nutrition support, peer support, life coaching and training to name a few.
Ultimately, HIV is a Manchester issue that we all need to work together on. The Government pledge to end HIV transmission by 2030 is achievable if we all work together to tackle HIV, but we must first challenge the stigma associated with HIV. You can start by supporting the work of George House Trust or booking a Positive Speaker."
For more information, call 0161 274 4499 or email [email protected] or visit the website at https://ght.org.uk/
This interview was featured in P&I Shorts, the fortnightly VCSE policy update. We interview leaders in our sector about important social issues of the day. To sign up to P&I Shorts, please click on this link.