Merseyside is continuing to fight against HIV this World AIDS Day.
Each year, on December 1, people around the globe come together to commemorate World AIDS Day (WAD). Communities unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses.
This year, to mark WAD across Merseyside, home-grown LGBTQ+ charity Sahir House will be inviting the general public to support their campaign to "End Complacency, End Stigma, End Inequalities, End AIDs".
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The charity has teamed up with a plethora of local organisations, supporters and allies across Merseyside to educate people about HIV and to remind everyone about the importance of getting tested and practising safer sex.
Ahead of the day, Ant Hopkinson, CEO of Sahir House, is encouraging members of the public to play a more active role in helping to prevent new cases of HIV and in fighting HIV-related stigma.
He said: "Whilst with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled – there is still no cure for the virus. It is still here and we should not be complacent or ignorant of the risks. Every single one of us has a role to play in HIV prevention as well as in supporting those living with HIV. There are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves, our sexual partners, and our loved ones from HIV infection and transmission. We can all help end HIV stigma through our words and actions in our everyday lives."
Liverpool is a "fast-track city" committed to ending all new transmissions of HIV by 2030. Over 36 million people worldwide have died of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. An estimated 37 million people are currently living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Around 106,890 people in the UK are currently living with HIV - 9,750 of whom live in the North West.
Today, with early diagnosis and treatment, people living with HIV can expect to live a normal life span. However, stigma and discrimination are still a reality for many people. People living with HIV, who are on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), cannot pass the virus on as undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). 99% of those living with HIV in the North West are on ART.
On World AIDS Day, Sahir House will be hosting a special vigil at Liverpool Parish Church (Our Lady and Saint Nicholas) from 2-3 pm. The vigil is open to all and there is no need to book tickets.
The Rector of Liverpool, the Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, who will lead the vigil, said: "Despite nearly forty years of public awareness, there is still much misinformation about HIV/AIDS. Events such as World AIDS Day are really important to remind us that all our communities still live with the impact of the virus."
Around the region, people will be encouraged to wear a red ribbon, the symbol of HIV awareness. Buildings across Liverpool, including St George's Hall and Radio City Tower, will be lit up red in a sign of solidarity.
Pop-up HIV awareness and information stalls will appear in various locations across Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley and the Wirral. A small remembrance event will be held in Birkenhead at the Liberty Bell Coffee Shop - the first time such an event has been organised by Wirral LGBTQ+ Network community members.
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