Catalogue Number
NMLH.2020.5.99
Object Name
Badge
People
Ernest Hole
Events
AIDS epidemic
Description
White badge with a red ribbon in the centre, the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the early 1980s, mostly affecting LGBTQIA and other marginalised communities, such as sex workers and intravenous drug users. The epidemic was largely dismissed by medical and government officials, who first named the syndrome GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) and used it to justify their homophobic and transphobic policies, attitudes, and misinformation. During the 1980s and 1990s, hundreds of thousands of people died after contracting HIV/AIDS, hugely affecting LGBTQIA communities for years to come. Despite there now being very effective treatments, there are still millions of people living and dying with HIV/AIDS every year particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Marginalised people continue to be most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination.
This badge is part of the Ernest Hole badge collection. Hole was the co-founder of Gay's the Word bookshop in London, along with Peter Dorey. Since opening in 1979, the bookshop has been a safe community space for LGBTQIA people.
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