A World AIDS Day reception has been held at the Senedd in Cardiff to commemorate those who died from AIDS-related illnesses over the decades. World AIDS Day, which is celebrated on December 1, is an opportunity for people world-wide to unite in the fight against HIV, and to show support for those living with the virus today.
The Senedd event, which took place on Wednesday, saw Health Minister Eluned Morgan give a key note speech outlining Wales' HIV Action Plan as part of a World AIDS Day commemoration. The reception also gave an opportunity to celebrate the progress made over the past 40 years to transform HIV into a manageable condition for people to live with.
The Minister for Health and Social Services outlined the work of the Welsh Government towards a HIV Action Plan for Wales. Due to be launched in early 2023, progress of the Action Plan was accompanied by a performance from the Welsh National Opera, written by Mercy Shibemba, a young woman living with HIV here in Wales. You can read more about Mercy here.
READ MORE: Senedd members wear Stonewall Cymru Rainbow Laces in solidarity with LGBT+ Qataris
The event follows the success of Fast Track's "Wales HIV Testing Week" campaign which ran from November 21 to 27 and attracted the highest numbers of people visiting the Sexual Health Wales website to order a test kit during the campaign - three times higher than last year.
Gian Molinu, chair of Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, spoke at the reception and talked about the differences he has seen in almost two decades of living with HIV in Wales. He said: "HIV is now something you can live with, but we are working to end new cases by 2030 and to eradicate the stigma still faced by people with the virus. People in Wales need to know that 21st century HIV is treatable and preventable. We need to get the message across that testing is the key to stopping HIV by 2030."
The reception also showcased Fast Track's exhibition of ten Welsh people talking about how they manage their HIV and challenging myths that still stop people from going and getting tested, and later treated if needed. More information about the exhibition can be found here.
Read more:
The innovative LGBTQ+ virtual reality exhibition coming to Wales Millennium Centre
The Welsh man who wants other men to feel more comfortable using make-up
New Welsh campaign kicks off national HIV Testing Week
The new face leading Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru
The passionate 16-year-old activist changing Welsh LGBT+ lives for the better
