Supporting Zero HIV Stigma Day

This Sunday 21 July, we’re supporting Zero HIV Stigma Day, a global initiative uniting people and communities to raise awareness of HIV and take action to eliminate HIV stigma.

Everyone is welcome to a community event taking place in Jubilee Square 1pm to 2pm to hear the experiences of people living with HIV and learn how we can eliminate HIV stigma.   There will be contributions from supporters and music from the Rainbow Chorus.

For full details of all that’s going on to mark the event in Brighton and Hove visit our Zero HIV Stigma Day webpage.

Did you know?

A recent YouGov polling of 2,267 Brits revealed that 4 in 10 (41%) were uncomfortable going on a date with someone with HIV. While just 16% of respondents are comfortable having sex with someone with HIV who is on effective treatment.

This comes even though people living with HIV who are taking their treatment as prescribed – around 98% of those living with diagnosed HIV in the UK – cannot pass it on to their partners. But worryingly, the data shows less than a quarter of UK adults (23%) know this fact to be true.

Standing up to HIV stigma

Councillor Tristram Burden, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Service Transformation, said: “We all need to play a  part in eliminating the stigma of HIV. It’s now a treatable, manageable health condition.

“Come along to Jubilee Square and find out more so we can make life better for our friends, family and colleagues who are living with HIV and so that we can encourage more people to access testing, treatment, and prevention.

“As the UK’s first Fast Track City, working in partnership with voluntary sector organisations, people living with HIV, community groups and NHS Service, I’m thrilled to see how proactive our city is in addressing HIV Stigma and developing our ‘Towards Zero HIV’ strategy.”

There’s more information on Brighton & Hove as a Fast Track City here: Ending new HIV infections in Brighton & Hove (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

It’s quick and easy to get an HIV or STI test in Brighton & Hove