On Sunday, people from across Scotland gathered at The Social Hub in Glasgow for the National World AIDS Day Event, an afternoon of remembrance, reflection, and collective commitment.
Co-hosted by Waverley Care, Terrence Higgins Trust, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian and Public Health Scotland, and sponsored by the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the event brought together communities, health professionals, and allies to honour those we’ve lost, celebrate progress, and renew Scotland’s shared goal of ending HIV stigma.
At the heart of the event was a moving remembrance ceremony, where attendees came together to honour the lives lost to HIV and AIDS. Voices from the community, musical performances, and moments of reflection created a powerful space to recognise both the past and the resilience of those who continue to advocate for change.
Speakers with lived experience, alongside health and community partners, shared personal stories and insights into the realities of living with HIV in Scotland today, reminding us how far we’ve come, but also how much work remains to tackle stigma and ensure equal access to care.
Short films shown throughout the afternoon highlighted the ongoing impact of stigma on people living with HIV and the importance of challenging misconceptions wherever they appear.
Launching HIV Informed: Scotland’s New National Education Hub
A key moment of the event was the official launch of HIV Informed — a new learning hub designed to support Scotland’s health and social care workforce. The platform offers accessible, up-to-date learning to help professionals challenge HIV stigma, understand the latest developments in treatment and prevention, and deliver inclusive, person-centred care.
The launch was met with enthusiasm from attendees, signalling a major step forward in ensuring accurate knowledge and compassionate practice across all services.
Voices from Our Partners
Event partners shared reflections on the significance of the day and Scotland’s progress toward ending HIV transmissions:
Prof Yvonne Gilleece, Chair of BHIVA, emphasised both the importance of remembrance and the transformative advances in HIV treatment, saying:
“As the leading UK association representing professionals in HIV care, BHIVA is delighted to have sponsored Scotland’s National World AIDS Day Event, the first BHIVA WAD to be held outside of England. The importance of WAD cannot be overstated. Together, we remember those individuals who have lived and died with HIV.
“But we also remember the incredible advances in HIV treatment, which mean that people living now with HIV, and receiving treatment, can have a normal life expectancy with zero risk of passing HIV on. We remember that we are all working together to reach zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030. We remember that we need to stop HIV stigma. And together, with incoming BHIVA Chair, Dr Tristan Barber, we will continue our research to improve the lives of people living with or affected by HIV.”
Grant Sugden, Waverley Care Chief Executive, reflected on the power of community:
“World AIDS Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of coming together, remembering those we’ve lost, standing alongside people living with HIV today, and renewing our shared commitment to ending HIV stigma.
“Today’s event has been a truly moving opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, to listen to the voices and experiences of people living with HIV, and to celebrate the partnerships that continue to drive progress here in Scotland.
“Scotland has made huge strides in HIV prevention, treatment, and care, but stigma and misinformation still stand in the way of true equality. Hearing from so many people and organisations united in their determination to change that has been inspiring. By learning, listening, and working together, we can build a Scotland where everyone affected by HIV is treated with dignity, respect, and understanding.”
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, reminded us of some of the histories that shaped today’s movement:
“World AIDS Day is about more than a ribbon, it is an opportunity to remember those lost to the epidemic. Terry Higgins – our namesake and the first named person to die of an AIDS-related illness – would have been 80 this year. He lived his life to the fullest, we can only imagine what else he would have achieved. This World AIDS Day we remember Terry, everyone else who lost their lives because of the virus and resolve to do more for everyone living with HIV.
“Wearing the red ribbon is a stand for a future without HIV stigma, where everyone living with HIV has access to the support they need to live well and where we could end new HIV cases in Scotland by 2030. I wear mine with pride.
“By taking just one pill a day, people living with HIV can protect their health, and can’t pass it on during sex – this new education hub will help share that message of hope.”
