Each year World AIDS Day is marked here in the capital by a number of fundraising and awareness raising events, and with half of all known UK positive diagnoses living in London it is heartening that the people we elect to power are finally acknowledging it.
This year support came from all quarters, but notably from the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, with the message to get tested as knowing your status is the first step to controlling and preventing the spread of HIV.
For the second year running, G-A-Y Bar opened its doors for 56 Dean Street sexual health clinic to run a clinic where health professional and counsellors were on hand to administer a finger prick HIV test that took only 60 seconds for a result.
For the 8 hours the clinic was operational, an amazing 745 people took the test including scene drag stars, Westminster Councillors, other venue owners and staff, setting a new world record, and with £10 being donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation by G-A-Y for every test meant that £7,450 was raised for the charity’s good causes.
But the day was not just about raising money, it was about raising awareness and the fact that the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News all covered the event is a brilliant pat on the back for all those involved.
Jeremy told QX, “A really special thank you to Leigh and Alan and the staff at 56 Dean Street who were absolutely amazing, completely professional and without them 745 people wouldn’t know their HIV status today. It’s not about breaking a world record it’s about raising awareness and what we achieved.
We’re not celebrating breaking a world record, the celebration will happen when everyone gets tested and knows their status, that’s the true goal.”
Congratulations to Jeremy Joseph, Team G-A-Y and all at 56 Dean Street from us at QX for another successful event.
Words and photos Chris Jepson
