By: Arbër Qerka-Gashi
In early December, I travelled to Manchester to install our HIVstory exhibition at the Grand Central Library. This was one of the first trips I was making on behalf of the NHST and HIVStory project, and it would also be the first time I had set up the exhibition myself, so it’s safe to say I was a little nervous. Thankfully, the team at Manchester Histories supported me throughout the process and the exhibition has been very well received.
In honour of the exhibition and our collaboration with Manchester Histories, we also organised an event during National HIV Testing Week (10-16 February) at the iconic Contact Theatre. It began with a short film screening, bringing together stories from the HIVstory archive to introduce the NHST and its HIVstory project preserving and telling these stories.
The second half of the event featured a panel discussion with some incredible activists and contributors. The panel brought together local voices shaping HIV awareness, care, and activism. As someone born and raised in East London, I do my very best to ensure that the way I engage in conversations relating to HIV and AIDS is reflective and national in scope. However, through history, these discussions have tended to be very London-centric, so hearing first-hand the experiences of those in and around Manchester was incredibly important.
The discussion was rich in content, featuring Paul Fairweather, co-founder of George House Trust and LGBT+ activist; Ellie Harrison, HIV activist and Positive Speaker; and Dr Orla McQuillan, HIV clinician and Co-Chair of Greater Manchester Fast Track Cities. I learned so much from their insights and experiences. From the George House Trust’s work working with communities affected by HIV and AIDS including its projects in schools educating younger generations about the historical experiences of HIV and AIDS, his work highlights the importance of community engagement and intergenerational learning.
Listening to Ellie speak about her experiences was also incredibly compelling. People often still hold stereotypes about who has HIV and AIDS, shaping assumptions about how individuals should behave or even how they should look. Ellie’s presence in the conversation powerfully demonstrated the importance of challenging and breaking down these outdated ideas, and of recognising that HIV can affect anyone. She radiated positivity in the way she spoke about her life, using her HIV diagnosis as further motivation to advocate for change.
Dr Orla McQuillan also addressed the inequalities that still exist within the medical field for those living with HIV or AIDS defining illnesses, as well as the ongoing stigma that communities continue to face. Her contributions, alongside those of the other panellists, reminded us in the audience of how far the community has come and the challenges still ahead.
It was wonderful to see the HIVstory archive in action, sparking dialogue and shaping discussions around HIV and AIDS at a national level. The NHST and HIVstory exhibition may be coming to a venue near you soon, so please keep an eye out, its stories are far too important to miss. It is a project that continues to inspire and give back, wherever it goes – and I’m very proud to be a part of it.