Catalogue Number
NMLH.2004.26.3
Object Name
Badge
Title
AIDS Vigil. Civil Liberties, Human Rights & Solidarity
People
Peter Tatchell; UK AIDS Vigil Organisation
Events
AIDS Vigil; AIDS epidemic
Description
Badge depicts hands holding a lighted candle over the earth, text reads "AIDS VIGIL. CIVIL LIBERTIES, HUMAN RIGHTS & SOLIDARITY".
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.
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