'35 years on there is still stigma' - people with HIV call for awareness campaign to combat ignorance

HIV Scotland has launched a campaign for the first national TV advert to raise awareness of HIV since the ‘tombstone’ AIDS campaign in the 1980s.

Will Dalgleish has been living with HIV for 25 years.

It is part of the charity’s “Generation Zero” campaign to achieve zero new HIV transmissions and zero stigma by 2030.

Backed by celebrities Alan Cumming and Lorraine Kelly, the campaign seeks to "make HIV the conversation” to eliminate misconceptions and stigma.

Will Dalgleish, 54, from Edinburgh, has lived with HIV for 25 years.

The 1987 “Don’t Die of Ignorance” TV campaign was an effective public health campaign at the time, but also created stigma, he said.

“35 years on we’re still living with stigma, it’s very much alive and kicking.”

Mr Dalgleish, who is Chair of the Lothian HIV Patients Forum, hears many reports of people with HIV facing stigma, including being called “riddled”, “diseased”, or “disgusting”, and people being told to “go and die of AIDS”.

“I don’t think it’s because people hate me or hate people living with HIV, I think it's because they're scared, and if you're scared you’re misinformed, or you haven’t had access to the education to understand what living with HIV is about,” he said.

“This has a huge impact on people’s wellbeing. When you listen to stereotypes and attitudes bandied about over the years it makes you feel dreadful about yourself, you internalise your shame.

“That makes it more difficult for people to access care, whether that's mental or physical health care."

He added: “There’s always that slight anxiety when trying to build any form of relationship with someone that they might not want you because you’re HIV positive.

“You’re frightened you might be turned away, and that leads to feelings of loneliness, or that you’re just not good enough.”

Mr Dalgleish believes is is vital to talk about sex and sexual health in order to reduce stigma around HIV.

He wants more people to be aware of the Undetectable = Untransmittable campaign, which explains that when a person with HIV has an undetectable viral load, they cannot pass HIV to sexual partners.

A survey on behalf of HIV Scotland found that just 19 per cent of Scots were aware of this, and 46 per cent believed HIV can be transmitted through biting, spitting, or kissing.

Only nine per cent strongly agreed that they would be comfortable kissing someone who is HIV positive.

HIV Scotland Chair Dr Nicoletta Policek said:

“As a woman living with HIV, I am acutely aware of the myths and misconceptions about HIV that are still prevalent across society.

“The aim of Generation Zero is to bring people together, regardless of their age, sexuality or gender, to talk about HIV in the modern context. We are all far more aware of viruses and how they work – but we can’t allow the misinformation and myths from the eighties to continue.”

“It is clear through the polling data which we’re publishing today that many myths still exist,” added Chief Executive Nathan Sparling.

"There is a need for a national, coordinated public awareness campaign, including TV advertising, to end stigma. There has not been a TV ad since the ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’ ads famed for its tombstone imagery – which undoubtedly has lingered in people’s minds, perpetuating the stigma of the 80s.”

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