Fighting for HIV rights

Everybody deserves equal human rights

We advocate directly to challenge experiences of unlawful discrimination and combat unjust laws and policies. We work with our Governments, governing bodies, policy-makers and the media to secure rights for everyone living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV.

In recent years we have won campaigns for equal fertility rights for same-sex couples living with HIV, for PrEP to be freely available on the NHS, for changes to how personal HIV data is shared and much more.

We continue to fight for the human rights of people living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV, to make the UK a fairer society for all.

How we fight for the rights of people living with HIV

Migration

We welcome the enrichment to our country that migration has brings. It is important that people coming to the UK who are living with HIV are able to access the testing treatment, care and support that they need to keep them well.

Fertility

Alongside our colleagues from the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASSH), we campaigned for an amendment to fertility legislation, ensuring same-sex couples and individuals living with HIV had the same right to fertility treatment as opposite-sex couples.

Data protection

Because of the stigma and discrimination that persists, breaching someone’s HIV data is a serious matter that can cause distress and trauma. We work closely with the ICO [and other organisations?] to make sure that the needs of people living with HIV are met in data protection regulations and processes.

Health and safety when accessing services

Many people living with HIV still experience discrimination when getting tattoos, piercings, cosmetic surgery and other services. We work to hold employers accountable, while influencing relevant bodies to update guidance and policy.

Criminalisation

We work to limit the detrimental impact of prosecutions for reckless transmission, which do not reduce HIV transmission, but instead undermine public health by increasing stigma, victimisation and discrimination of people living with HIV. We support decriminalisation of drug use and sex work, communities disproportionately affected by HIV.

Employment

We work to ensure that equality legislation is applied in the workplace to stop discriminatory practices. Working alongside our partners and allies, in recent years this has removed barriers for people becoming pilots and serving in the armed forces.