A ‘powerful’ outfit worn by Cheddar Gorgeous on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is to be exhibited in Manchester throughout February.
The bodysuit pays homage to the ‘Pink Triangle’ symbol used by activist group ACT UP during the AIDs crisis and received acclaim both on and off the screen for raising HIV awareness and educating viewers on the realities of HIV today.
Manchester-based performer Cheddar, who came runner-up on the hit BBC Three reality TV show last year, won the weekly runway challenge with the black outfit, which features a number of upward-pointing triangles. The shapes were reclaimed from the downward-pointing triangles used by Nazis to identify gay men within concentration camps during the Holocaust.
The outfit also features ACT Up's slogan ‘Silence = death’, which is still used today to raise awareness of HIV.
During RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Cheddar was seen discussing HIV with the other contestants in the ‘werkroom’ and spoke of the stigma that still exists today. In the aired segment, Cheddar stated how someone living with HIV and on effective treatment cannot pass it on.
To coincide with LGBT+ History Month, Cheddar, who is an ambassador for George House Trust, will be exhibiting the impactful runway look at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel throughout February.
“This outfit aligns with what LGBTQIA+ History Month stands for,” Cheddar told the M.E.N. “For me, it was critically important to turn any attention I could get to drawing attention to HIV and bringing awareness to those issues today.
“When you are undetectable, you are untransmittable. We genuinely can eradicate HIV, and with it the stigma of being positive.”
The exhibition, which will be displayed within the Winter Garden at The Refuge, has been created in partnership with George House Trust and the HIV charity say it is an ideal example of HIV activism.
Darren Knight, Chief Executive at George House Trust, said: “Cheddar is an amazing ambassador, supporter, and friend of George House Trust. Cheddar understands how HIV has changed and how the stigma still exists, which was articulated during their appearance on Drag Race by shining a spotlight on HIV activism and the Act Up movement with that iconic pink triangle runway look.
“The way Cheddar uses their platform to educate people about HIV and Undetectable Equals Untransmissible is extraordinary and exactly what we love. We’re so grateful to Cheddar for exhibiting this piece of Drag Race and HIV history to showcase HIV activism, past and present, to Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ community.”
The outfit is to later be raffled off, with proceeds going towards George House Trust and Terrance Higgins Trust.
To coincide with the exhibit, Kimpton Clocktower will also raise funds for George House Trust throughout February with a special cocktail called the ‘Pink Triangle’, with a donation of 50% from each drink purchased going to the charity.
Commenting on the exhibit Johan Scheepers, General Manager of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, said: “Cheddar Gorgeous has been ‘Queen of the Clocktower’ since we opened the doors of the hotel and The Refuge. We are very proud to display this iconic runway look and furthermore raise awareness whilst igniting positive change in the fight against HIV stigma that remains in society, by supporting our charity partner George House Trust.”
You can view the outfit at The Refuge's Winter Garden in the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Oxford Road until the end of February.
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