- Conference
- 2025 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 29 July 2025
- Decision
- Carried
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) have changed, but have we? As we approach 2030 with the global goals of zero new HIV cases and zero stigma, we must ensure that no one affected by HIV is left behind in our union, workplaces or communities.
HIV thrives on marginalisation – whether through homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, ableism, misogyny, poverty, racism or xenophobia. Despite medical advances like U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), stigma and discrimination remain a daily reality for many people living with HIV.
According to the Positive Voices 2022 survey, nearly 1 in 3 people living with HIV reported experiencing stigma, and over 40% reported symptoms of depression or anxiety. These figures are even higher among:
i)Black African women, who often face cultural stigma, immigration barriers, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare.
ii)Disabled people living with HIV, who may struggle with compounded stigma and lack of accessible peer support.
iii)Migrant workers, who may fear deportation or job loss if their HIV status is discovered.
iv)Trans people, who experience disproportionately high rates of HIV and often face discrimination in both healthcare and employment settings.
v)Young LGBT+ people, especially those in rural areas, who may lack access to testing or affirming support services.
Conference commends UNISON’s Greater London Region LGBT+ Committee for launching the Unionising against HIV Stigma campaign in 2023. Since then, it developed an HIV in the Workplace model policy for National AIDS Trust and has helped shape the HIV Confident charter mark. But our work is far from over.
We must now expand this campaign across all UNISON regions and nations, especially in rural and under-resourced areas where stigma is compounded by isolation and lack of peer support. We must also challenge the persistent myth that HIV is solely a “gay disease”, which excludes many affected people from seeking support and influencing decision-making.
Let us build on the legacy of UNISON’s Years of Young, Disabled, Black and LGBT+ Workers. By working together, and recognising and respecting intersectionality, let’s ensure that everyone living with or affected by HIV is not just seen, but heard, respected and empowered.
Conference instructs the National LGBT+ Committee to work with the National Executive Council and other parts of the union as appropriate to:
1)Expand the Unionising against HIV Stigma campaign across all UNISON regions and nations, with a focus on areas lacking local HIV support services.
2)Encourage branches to advocate for the implementation of UNISON’s HIV in the Workplace model policy and, where appropriate and possible, the HIV Confident charter mark with the employers they work with.
3)Embed intersectionality in all future HIV-related education and training, recognising the diverse identities and experiences of those most affected, including Black, disabled, migrant, trans and working-class communities.
4)Challenge myths and misinformation about HIV, including the idea that it only affects LGBT+ people.
5)Address mental health by ensuring that training materials acknowledge the emotional burden of living with HIV and signpost to peer mentoring and specialist support.