On World AIDS Day, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a commitment of £130,000 in funding for London’s first permanent HIV/AIDS memorial. The memorial will be located in Camden, near the UK’s first dedicated HIV hospital ward. Khan stressed the importance of remembering and honoring those who have been lost to HIV and AIDS-related illnesses while acknowledging that the battle against HIV is far from over.
Khan expressed his concerns about the persistent stigma within the community, emphasizing that progress has been made, but there is still work to be done. He highlighted the goal of achieving zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 and emphasized that this can only be accomplished by open discussions and the elimination of stigma and discrimination.
To address these issues, Khan has signed a HIV Confident Charter aimed at tackling workplace discrimination against people living with HIV. He hopes that London can serve as a beacon for other cities and employers, encouraging them to adopt proactive policies to ensure that individuals with HIV can access services and employment without fear of discrimination.
The Mayor also called on individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community to take action in combating HIV/AIDS stigma. Khan expressed hope that the memorial would serve as a catalyst for questions and discussions, raising awareness about the fact that HIV is no longer a death sentence and that individuals can lead fulfilling lives with the available treatments.
Reflecting on the progress made in fighting HIV stigma, Khan attributed it to the efforts of younger generations and influential figures like Madonna, who have openly discussed HIV/AIDS issues. He emphasized the importance of continuing these conversations and ensuring that HIV/AIDS is no longer hidden away but openly discussed on a global scale.