Aids wards were full to overflowing and I gave up counting the number of people I visited in those days. There was a real feeling of solidarity that crossed over all ages and cultural, political, racial or sexual barriers. Of course mistakes were made, bitchy back-biting and so on. But there was no doubting the urgency of our cause.
We formed partnerships with medical practitioners, scientists, drug companies, government bodies - and we did it our way. We cried and partied furiously - we were only too aware of how short life was and there was no time to waste.
About 600 hundred of us were involved in the early days of Positively

page 2 of 2

1 / 2

home

contents of issue 82
back issues
the gazette
recipes
small ads
contacting us
weblinks

Women - now I am only aware of three or four of us still alive - think about it - unimaginable but true.
I was struck by a phrase in the THT 20th anniversary tribute that people with HIV/Aids needed to be more 'involved' in campaigning today. Well, the last time I was asked to be 'involved' it was at a big celebrity event attended by a prominent Royal. I was asked if I would speak about complementary therapies. But when I got there, I was actually asked to lie on a bed and pretend to have acupuncture in front of the world's media. I felt incredibly sad and insulted. I felt I was being asked to act out the 'tragic victim' role.
I had fought for years to dispel this image on behalf of all people with this virus. I had studied every aspect of this condition to the point where I could lecture on it. I had something valuable to offer and to teach others. But it was the celebrities who were awarded respect, and I felt we people with HIV were just window-dressing, used to tug hearts to get funds.
Funds for what? Is this what 20 years of struggle has come to? Answers on a postcard please.