Since 1988, December 1st has been designated as World AIDS Day. As a queer person, the issue of HIV and AIDS is close to my heart. I wanted to talk about it today and share some meaningful World AIDS Day activities you can do to make a difference.

Why We Still Need to Care About HIV and AIDS

The AIDS epidemic reached its height in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, AIDS has not gone away and remains a significant global health issue.

AIDS has claimed over 44 million lives since the epidemic began. Amazing advances in treatment mean that HIV (the virus that, if untreated, leads to AIDS) is no longer an automatic death sentence. However, the disease still kills over 600,000 people every year. The majority of these deaths happen in the global south and particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

Other groups disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS include gay and bisexual+ men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, transgender people, and incarcerated people. Globally, women and girls account for around 45% of new infections.

Check out this fact sheet to learn more about the ongoing scale of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

What is World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day. It exists to unite people in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, support people living with the virus, dismantle the stigma, and commemorate those who have lost their lives to the virus.

HIV/AIDS is one of the most destructive pandemics in human history. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of something this huge. But there is hope, too. UNAIDS is currently working on an incredibly ambitious strategy that aims to reduce both new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 90% from 2010 figures by 2030. Amongst other goals, they also aim to have 95% of HIV-positive people know their status, 95% of those who know their status receiving antiviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to have an suppressed viral load.

All of this is possible and achievable. World AIDS Day encourages all of us to get involved, in whatever way we can, in the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

5 World AIDS Day Activities to Get Involved and Make a Difference

1. Donate or Get Involved in Fundraising Activities

If you have some money to spare, even a few pounds or dollars can make a big difference to the various organisations doing amazing work in the areas of HIV and AIDs.

Donate to a charity that’s doing important work in the areas of HIV and AIDS. The National AIDS Trust is working to end HIV by 2030 while championing the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. The Terrence Higgins Trust is another great charity that campaigns, runs HIV testing centres, and provides services connected to HIV and sexual health.

You can also get involved in fundraising activities for World AIDS Day causes. Take on a sponsored challenge, sponsor someone else, or put a collection box in your workplace.

2. Get a Test, Know Your Status, and Learn About PrEP

When was your last sexual health screening? If you haven’t been tested recently, go and book one (or order a home testing kit) now. Everyone who is sexually active should be getting tested at least once per year, and more often if you have multiple partners or have unprotected sex.

The best way to protect yourself and your partner(s) from HIV is to know your status and practice safer sex.

While you’re getting tested, you could also ask your doctor if pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is right for you. PrEP is a preventative medication taken by HIV-negative people that reduces your risk of contracting the virus should you be exposed to it. According to the Terrence Higgins Trust, most people who use PrEP take it every day. A minority of users prefer to take it only immediately before and after having sex.

3. Smash the Stigma and Share Factual Information

Sadly, HIV and AIDS are still heavily stigmatised. This stigma can have a major impact on the quality of life of those living with HIV, even if it is well-controlled. World AIDS Day is not only about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is also about protecting the rights and dignity of those already affected. One of the simplest but most impactful World AIDS Day activities you can do? Simply get informed, learn the facts, and share accurate information.

Next time you hear someone speak negatively about people with HIV/AIDS, don’t laugh along or let it slide. Instead, speak up.

People living with HIV are not dirty. They are not stupid. Having HIV is not a personal or moral failing. HIV cannot be transmitted through kissing, skin-to-skin contact, sharing food or drinks, water fountains, toilet seats, mosquitoes, saliva, sweat, or modern blood transfusions. It can only be transmitted through infected blood, sexual fluids, or breast milk. Read and share this handy guide.

4. Stock Up on Sexual Health Supplies

Unprotected sex with an infected person is one of the main ways HIV can be transmitted. Every person who practices safer sex is contributing to ending HIV, both directly (by protecting themselves and their sexual partners) and indirectly (by normalising safer sex.)

Take a moment to check your supplies of condoms, dams, and gloves. If you’re running low on anything, stock up. If you can’t afford to buy supplies, ask your doctor or sexual health provider where you can access them for free. This is also a great time to make sure any you have are still in date.

If you’re LGBTQ+, many queer spaces such as bars, community centres, and sexuality-focused events give out safer sex supplies as freebies.

5. Wear Your Red World AIDS Day Ribbon

The red ribbon is the internationally-recognised symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness and advocacy. You can buy one from the National AIDS Trust, request them for free if you’re planning to do any World AIDS Day fundraising activities, or pick one up from the many stores and public spaces that are selling them at this time of year.

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