Silence = Death: 40 years of speaking out about HIV

In May 1983, Conway Hall hosted the first public meeting in the UK on AIDS, a new disease that was as mysterious as it was scary. 40 years later, leading figures from the history of HIV activism meet to share what they’ve learned on how we educate the public about an epidemic.

From navigating press hysteria, to combatting racism and homophobia, educating the public about HIV has always had huge challenges. But education is also the crucial tool in ending the epidemic. That meeting in May 1983 in Conway Hall marked the beginning of work on a project that continues to this day, and its anniversary comes at a pivotal moment: this could be the last decade with new cases of HIV in the UK, but only if we can take on another massive challenge around educating the public.

This event, in partnership with Terrence Higgins Trust and Switchboard, will be a chance to reflect on the vital history of how we got to where we are today, and the challenges ahead. Speakers will include:

• Martyn Butler, Terrence Higgins Trust Co-Founder
• Lisa Power, former Switchboard Volunteer and Former Terrence Higgins Trust Policy Director
• Nick Partridge, former Switchboard Volunteer and Former Terrence Higgins Trust CEO
• Takudzwa Mukiwa, Head of Social Marketing at Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust are the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. They strive for a future where there are no new cases of HIV, where people living with HIV get the support they need and there is good sexual health for all.

Switchboard is one of the UK’s longest-running, volunteer-led charities serving the LGBTQIA+ communities. As a national helpline, they provide a confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental listening service to thousands of people from around the UK every year across phone, instant messaging and email.

Photo provided by Robert Workman Archive, Bishopsgate Institute.