In 2021, forty years since the start of the HIV epidemic, society continues to perpetuate negative attitudes towards people living with HIV. These reinforce stigma, fuelling discriminatory behaviour towards people, simply because of their HIV status.
HIV is no longer a death sentence. Thanks to simple and effective antiretroviral therapy the virus can be controlled - and a person living with HIV can lead a normal healthy life.
In everyday life, however, people living with HIV continue to be discriminated against at many levels: in their private lives, at work and, unfortunately, also in healthcare settings. Negative public attitudes can be so pervasive that they create barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. The stigma felt by people living with HIV can lead to self-stigmatisation and impact their ability to live well with HIV.
In view of the widespread lack of knowledge amongst the general public about how HIV is, and is not, transmitted, the ‘NO HIV STIGMA’ information campaign was launched at EACS 2019 in Basel. The goal was to destigmatise HIV through increasing public awareness. The campaign was successful and reached an audience of millions. But the messaging also attracted some comments: some people felt that using the words "NO" and “STIGMA” might reinforce some pre-existing negative attitudes about people living with HIV.
“Respect My HIV” is an information campaign that takes into account both the experiences of the past and the realities of the modern world. It aims to create a positive attitude - respect for all people who are in some way different from the majority. This could include HIV status, gender, race, sexual orientation or gender identity.
It is time to change the paradigm of fighting something. Therefore, the key message of the new campaign is: “Respect diversity: HIV status, sex work, sex, gender, sexuality, migration, mobility, choice, love, freedom, diversity, dignity, ethnicity, special needs, well-being, sexual and mental health, intimacy, lust, rights, faith and humanity”
For example, when speaking about HIV status it would be more respectful to say - “a person living with HIV” and not an “HIV positive person” because, regardless of status, sex, gender or any other characteristic everyone is, first and foremost, a person - and each and everyone of us is of equal value.
The past has shown that tolerance does not change the prejudices against people who are in any way different from the majority. Our current reality calls for more decisive steps, ones that can expand the understanding that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The goal of the campaign is to create a positive attitude - respect for all people who are in some way different from the majority.
Our key partner, the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), is very supportive of the organisation and implementation of the #RespectMyHIV campaign. As a result, campaign activities will be widely publicised during the 18th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2021), which is taking place in London this year from the 27 - 30 October 2021.
The campaign kicks off ahead of the European AIDS Conference and will run predominantly online. A variety of posters are available in the gallery below with key messages of the campaign, such as: Respect my HIV status! Respect my sexuality! Respect my freedom! … and more.
Anyone can support the campaign by displaying a poster they like from the gallery or by creating their own illustration or graphic and adding the hashtag on their own social media. The campaign hashtags will be
Throughout the duration of the European AIDS Conference, the #RespectMyHIV campaign will be promoted through posters, banners and flags on the streets of London and at ExCeL London - the venue for EACS 2021 .
The main event of the campaign is a demonstration and march through the streets of London. On Saturday 30 October, at 2:30pm UK time, participants will gather in Parliament Square - from there we will walk to Trafalgar Square, where the march concludes with a rally with speeches from various communities, politicians and celebrities.
Gathering at Parliament Square
March from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square
Demonstration and speeches by celebrities, politicians and activists
We are not allowed to gather on the grass in Parliament Square, so we will assemble on the paved areas around the square in front of the Supreme Court, St. Margaret's Church, Cabinet Office and Westminster Hall. You will be able to see us easily by the flags and posters about #RespectMyHIV.
The march will start from the corner of Great George Street and Parliament Street, heading for Trafalgar Square via Whitehall.
We will have a stage and sound system in Trafalgar Square for the speeches but we are not allowed to use any amplification equipment in the march itself.
We will bring flags and posters for the march and rally, but everyone is very welcome to make and bring their own.Stewards will wear Hi Vis yellow emergency vests with #RespectMyHIV. Please follow their instructions.
We are taking to the streets of London to demand respect for human rights, celebrate diversity, inspire each other, and give a powerful boost to a campaign that will go on for a long time beyond the conference itself.
Starting 13 October post on your social media pages, websites and blogs, using posters with the campaign hashtag #RespectMy (plus your own word), for example #RespectMyNeeds or #RespectMyLove, etc.
If you want to take part in the demonstration in person, please come to Parliament Square, London SW1P 3BD, by 2:30pm UK time on 30 October.
If you/your organisation wish to take part in the march as a single column or block please let us know by e-mail: [email protected]
The positive movement driven by the #RespectMyHIV campaign will continue through fundraising races for children and adolescents living with HIV, and HIV charities.
Race to support children living with HIV
On 27 October at 17:45hrs GMT, at the opening of the 18th European AIDS Conference in London, a virtual run will be launched in support of children and adolescents living with HIV. By running the distance, each participant will “earn” money to fund a summer camp for Russian-speaking children, as well as raising awareness of the issues facing children living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
The race will end, symbolically, on 1 December - World AIDS Day - on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, where a children's camp will be held in 2022.
For more information, see the website HIV RUN
This virtual run in support of children living with HIV will pass the baton over to the in person ‘RED RUN’, dedicated to World AIDS Day
The ‘RED RUN’ is a charity run that raises funds for community organisations that support and empower people living with HIV and their communities. It will take place on 27 November in Victoria Park, London.
The event itself is a sponsored 5km / 10km run or walk. The centrepiece of the event is the ‘RED RUN Village’, where various events, exhibitions and performances will be held.
For more information, see the website RED RUN.
Respect – New HIV Campaign Starts Prior to 18th European AIDS Conference
pdfRespect! – European HIV activists call for a shift in paradigm as European AIDS Conference starts
pdfRespect! Europe wide HIV campaign climaxes with March in central London
pdfAn important historic first for London, with inspirational speakers in Trafalgar Square
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