Catalogue Number
NMLH.2020.5.267
Object Name
badge
Title
INTERNATIONAL AIDS DAY 1987
Events
AIDS epidemic; International AIDS Day
Description
Small black circular badge with white text reading "INTERNATIONAL AIDS DAY 1987" around the edge. In the centre is a light pink circle with a black heart inside, made of a stylised arrow.
Awareness of HIV/AIDS grew rapidly during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The 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.
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