The HIV community, health organisations and partners united for World Aids Day vigil.
The vigil, at Liverpool Parish Church, remembered those who have passed, celebrated the progress made and acknowledged the work that still needs to be done.
John Kelly, peer support worker for George House Trust, expressed how crucial it is to remember the struggles that people in the 80s went through because of the lack of choices, and celebrate the options people living with HIV now have.
He said: “I think there is still a lot of people living with shame, having negative beliefs about HIV and how it spreads, how it affects people and who it affects as well.”
Alongside Sahir House, George House Trust work to promote HIV services and support to make sure people are testing, looking after their sexual health and are aware that HIV still very much exists.
John added: “HIV isn’t the issue; it’s the thing around them that are the problem – housing, benefits, isolation, building relationships, having a social life, access to work.
“A lot of people won’t go into relationships with people, so they can’t love the people they want to love.”
Sahir House is celebrating their 40th year of supporting individuals with HIV.
Kellie Welch, the organisations service manager said the vigil offers a safe, reflective space where they feel seen and understood.
Kellie said: “Liverpool do continue to face several challenges. Stigma remains a significant barrier.
“Many communities still carry outdated beliefs around HIV which affects willingness to test or start PrEP. Awareness is uneven – women, heterosexual and other communities don’t realise that PrEP is relevant to them.”
She explained mental health, poverty, housing and trauma are all barriers to people accessing support when it comes to HIV.
Sahir House’s priority is to continue to reduce inequality in sexual health and HIV support by reaching people who are under-served.
Kellie added: “We’ll continue to challenge stigma through education and visibility and advocate for sustained investment in community HIV services, and most importantly, ensure people living with HIV remain at the centre of everything we do, and their voices lead the ship.
“They shape our work and our vision for the future.”
@merseynewslive Liverpool came together to celebrate World AIDS Day mourning those lives lost and acknowledging the progress made and ongoing action. #GeorgeHouseTrust #SahirHouse #WorldAIDSDay #HIV #stigma
