Manchester calls for universal access to HIV treatment

Hundreds of people gathered at Manchester’s Beacon of Hope HIV memorial in Sackville Garden’s last night to mark World Aids Day.

The crowd came together to remember those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, support those living with HIV and raise awareness.

This year’s official World Aids Day theme - universal access and human rights - was at the forefront of all the speeches.

In a passionate speech, Manchester City Councillor - Paul Fairweather - called on the crowd to “campaign, campaign, campaign” for universal treatment, and to stop a barbaric bill which is before the Ugandan government – proposing the death penalty to HIV positive gay men.

The vigil was organised by Manchester’s World Aids Day Partnership, whose local campaign this year was “Manchester is HIV positive”.

Cllr Fairweather highlighted the positives for HIV +ve people in the city, like relatively easy access to HIV drugs and treatments, and plenty of support from local organisations; while drawing attention to universal injustice in light of equal access to treatment – stressing that many countries across the world do not offer treatment or help to those with HIV/AIDS.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Frith, also read a message of support at the vigil highlighting that 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, while another speaker – Chantelle – called for a “global solution, to the global problem of HIV” and encouraged everyone not to think of those with HIV as a statistic.

The Manchester World Aids Day Partnership is made up of Manchester City Council, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, George House Trust and Black Health Agency.

Emma Peate, from the Lesbian & Gay Foundation stressed the importance of keeping HIV/AIDS on the political agenda, she said: “More people than ever before are living with HIV in the UK, so it is vital that we keep this issue in the public eye. HIV affects many people in Manchester and all communities, this is why Manchester’s World Aids Day Partnership is committed to working together to raise awareness of HIV, and to raise much needed funds so we can continue to support those living with HIV and delivering HIV prevention work.”

The World Aids Day Partnership would like to thank all those who braved the wind and rain and attended last night’s vigil, and all those who donated, to ensure that we can continue to support those living with HIV and deliver HIV prevention and awareness raising work.

We would also like to say a huge thank you to the fantastic World Aids Day volunteers, and all those involved in the fund raising and awareness raising activities that have been going on over the lead up to World Aids Day and on World Aids Day itself.

WORLD AIDS DAY VIGIL MANCHESTER DECEMBER 1ST 2009

Vigil Photo: Paul Jones at Exposure