Chatting HIV and busting myths, one podcast at a time!

From HIV being created by the CIA, to the AIDS epidemic being caused by polio vaccines, at some point you have probably heard some  pretty wild conspiracy theories about HIV. In this episode we explore, and debunk, a few of these!

Sources
Discredited HIV/AIDS origins theories – Wikipedia
African American people’s AIDS conspiracy beliefs best understood in terms of social anxiety and distrust, not ignorance | aidsmap
Debunked: The Polio Vaccine and HIV Link | History of Vaccines
Black Americans suspect HIV plot | World news | The Guardian

*Correction: We stated that Wangari Maathai was the first woman in America to be a Nobel Peace Prize laureat. This is incorrect, she was the first woman in Africa to receive this award.

Join us on a musical journey looking at songs that reference or relate to HIV in some way. From Elton John to TLC, Cyndi Lauper to Wu-Tang Clan, we cover an eclectic mix, but there are so many, that this is Volume 1!

*Please note this episode does contain some swearing

Sources
List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1980s – Wikipedia
12 Songs About HIV/AIDS That Were Part of a Movement (advocate.com)
House of Love: Songs That Soundtracked the AIDS Epidemic of the 80’s & 90’s (granvarones.com)
10 Song You Didn’t Know Were About HIV | Ending HIV
15 Songs Inspired by the HIV/AIDS Crisis (slantmagazine.com)
Martin Burgoyne – Wikipedia
Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About AIDS Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
Red Hot Organization – Wikipedia
Red Hot
America Is Dying Slowly – Wikipedia

This week we’re going allllll the way back to explore where HIV came from and how it spread. Join us for this fascinating and informative adventure!

Sources
History of HIV/AIDS – Wikipedia
Scientists Refute Theory About the Origin of HIV (webmd.com)
History of AIDS – HISTORY
Aids: Origin of pandemic ‘was 1920s Kinshasa’ – BBC News
Why Kinshasa in the 1920s Was the Perfect Place for HIV to Go Global | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

This weeks hero was diagnosed with HIV at 13 years old and became a household name in America due to his battle to go to school. We urge you to listen to Ryan White’s story – an unbelievable young man that has left an inspiring legacy.

Sources
Ryan White – Wikipedia
Who Was Ryan White? | RyanWhite (hrsa.gov)
Remembering Ryan White, the teen who fought against the stigma of AIDS | PBS NewsHour

Further Information
Ryan White | RyanWhite (hrsa.gov)
Ryan White CARE Act – Wikipedia

*Correction: we stated in the podcast that Ryan White passed away at the age of 19 but the correct age he passed away was 18.

The person we are celebrating this week is a global mega star – the magnificent Dame Elizabeth Taylor! She used her power and platform to work tirelessly in the fight against AIDS. Have a listen to hear why she is an absolute HIV hero.

Sources
Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Elizabeth Taylor – Wikipedia
Elizabeth Taylor’s 10 Best Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes (screenrant.com)
Welcome to APLA Health
10 fun and interesting Elizabeth Taylor facts (10-facts-about.com)

This week we feature the legendary artist and activist, Keith Haring. Diagnosed with HIV in 1987 Keith is one of one of history’s best known street-artists-turned-AIDS-activists, using his art to help raise awareness of HIV and his own diagnosis to help combat stigma.

Sources
Keith Haring – Wikipedia
Keith Haring
Club 57 (nightclub) – Wikipedia
Facing death from AIDS, Keith Haring kept creating | American Masters | PBS
Keith Haring: Just Say Know – Rolling Stone
Keith Haring: street artist and AIDS activist who changed the world with a piece of chalk – HERO (hero-magazine.com)
Keith Haring: 10 Facts You Didn’t Know | Hamilton-Selway (hamiltonselway.com)

You may have seen the Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Dallas Buyers Club’  and  in this episode we explore the wider history of buyers clubs, in the world of HIV.

Sources
Dallas Buyers Club: True story? Fact and fiction in the Matthew McConaughey movie about Ron Woodroof. (slate.com)
Buyers club – Wikipedia
“Managing Your Own Survival”: Buyers Clubs in the AIDS Epidemic – Health & Medicine in American History (grinnell.edu)
Inside the UK’s drug buyers’ clubs – BBC News
AIDS Drug AZT: How It Got Approved 30 Years Ago | Time

Further Information
CF Buyers Club

In the 1970’s and 1980’s 4,689 people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses through the use of contaminated clotting factors that were supplied by the NHS. In part 2 Sarah explains what happened next and if there are any answers to how and why this happened and if anyone has been held accountable.

Sources
The contaminated blood scandal | The Haemophilia Society
What is the contaminated blood inquiry? – BBC News
Contaminated Blood Scandal — Factor 8 – Independent Haemophilia Group (factor8scandal.uk)
Homepage | Infected Blood Inquiry
England Infected Blood Support Scheme | NHSBSA
Contaminated blood scandal in the United Kingdom – Wikipedia
‘We were all meant to be together’ | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk)
Infected Blood Inquiry: Former Health Secretary Lord Norman Fowler refuses to apologise for ‘Don’t Die Of Ignorance’ AIDS campaign | UK News | Sky News

This week we travel all the way to the Yorkshire Dales where we explore the soap opera storyline of Val Pollard being diagnosed with HIV after a holiday romance. This Emmerdale storyline helped raise awareness of HIV in older women and encouraged an uptake in testing.

Sources
Val Pollard – Wikipedia
Emmerdale’s Val Pollard: HIV can happen to anyone, even funny people like Val says star Charlie Hardwick – Mirror Online
Val Pollard | Emmerdale Wiki | Fandom
Emmerdale’s Charlie Hardwick on Val Pollard’s HIV battle… | Closer (closeronline.co.uk)

The rollercoaster continues! In part 2 of this double-whammy of HIV history, we explore the interview the Charlie Sheen gave on the Today Show, where he spoke with Matt Lauer about living with HIV.

Sources
Charlie Sheen – Wikipedia
Charlie Sheen reveals he’s HIV positive in TODAY Show exclusive
Charlie Sheen’s open letter on HIV-positive diagnosis (today.com)
The ‘Charlie Sheen Effect’: Surge Seen in HIV Test Sales | Live Science
‘Charlie Sheen effect’ nearly doubled HIV test sales after his announcement, study finds – ABC News (go.com)
Charlie Sheen, HIV, a Tabloid and My Insane 2-Year Hunt for a Story – The Hollywood Reporter
Charlie Sheen ‘stopped taking anti-viral HIV drugs to seek alternative therapy in Mexico’ | The Independent | The Independent
Charlie Sheen’s life now – ‘blacklisted, skint’ and selling video messages for £300 – Mirror Online
Lawsuit Against Charlie Sheen Alleging HIV Exposure Settles – NBC Los Angeles
EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Sheen Has Been HIV-Positive For 2 Years – In Touch Weekly

In the 1970’s and 1980’s 4,689 people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses through the use of contaminated clotting factors that were supplied by the NHS. In part 1 Sarah educates us on how this shocking event in HIV history unfolded.

Sources
The contaminated blood scandal | The Haemophilia Society
What is the contaminated blood inquiry? – BBC News
Contaminated Blood Scandal — Factor 8 – Independent Haemophilia Group (factor8scandal.uk)
Homepage | Infected Blood Inquiry
England Infected Blood Support Scheme | NHSBSA
Contaminated blood scandal in the United Kingdom – Wikipedia
‘We were all meant to be together’ | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk)
Infected Blood Inquiry: Former Health Secretary Lord Norman Fowler refuses to apologise for ‘Don’t Die Of Ignorance’ AIDS campaign | UK News | Sky News
Guilt and anger surface as infected blood inquiry hears evidence | Contaminated blood scandal | The Guardian

In 1993 Philadelphia hit the big screen. The film was a huge success and helped educated people about HIV. In this episode we learn the backstory to this Hollywood blockbuster how and why this film was made and if it was based on a true story.

Sources
Philadelphia (film) – Wikipedia
Ron Nyswaner – Wikipedia
Jonathan Demme – Wikipedia
Edward Saxon – Wikipedia
Geoffrey Bowers – Wikipedia
Joel Hyatt – Wikipedia
Looking Back at ‘Philadelphia,’ 25 Years Later | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine

Strap in and come on a wild ride with us through the history of what happened in the run-up to Charlie Sheen’s historic television interview where he revealed his HIV status.  There’s so much to Charlie’s story we’ve had to do it in two parts!

Sources
Charlie Sheen – Wikipedia
Charlie Sheen reveals he’s HIV positive in TODAY Show exclusive
Charlie Sheen’s open letter on HIV-positive diagnosis (today.com)
The ‘Charlie Sheen Effect’: Surge Seen in HIV Test Sales | Live Science
‘Charlie Sheen effect’ nearly doubled HIV test sales after his announcement, study finds – ABC News (go.com)
Charlie Sheen, HIV, a Tabloid and My Insane 2-Year Hunt for a Story – The Hollywood Reporter
Charlie Sheen ‘stopped taking anti-viral HIV drugs to seek alternative therapy in Mexico’ | The Independent | The Independent
Charlie Sheen’s life now – ‘blacklisted, skint’ and selling video messages for £300 – Mirror Online
Lawsuit Against Charlie Sheen Alleging HIV Exposure Settles – NBC Los Angeles
EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Sheen Has Been HIV-Positive For 2 Years – In Touch Weekly

This week we pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the very early days of HIV in the UK, including a group of remarkable men whose passion and determination led them to form Europe’s first HIV charity – the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Sources
Rupert Whitaker – Wikipedia
The tragedy that inspired a life-saving charity – BBC News
The Newport man who helped start HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust after losing dozens of friends – Wales Online
Solved: The 40-year mystery of the first man to die of AIDS in Britain | ITV News
Terry Higgins – Wikipedia
How it all began | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk)

Further Information
Home | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk)
Twitter:
@THTorguk
@RupertWhitaker

There are some fantastic people who are involved in promoting National HIV Testing Week. This week Sarah has picked a few of them to tell us what motivated them to get involved in this great campaign!

Sources
Dorcas Gwata who lost three brothers to Aids speaks out about ordeal | Metro News
Ranj Singh – Wikipedia
We can stop HIV – It Starts With Me
Austin Armacost gets his finger out for National HIV Testing Week 2019, Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd November – Boyz
Sarah Mulindwa – HIV is no longer a death sentence – It Starts With Me

Further information
Freetesting HIV | Free HIV Kits for Self-testing at Home

The second part of our special World AIDS Day trilogy is all about cures! Our HIV Hero is Timothy Ray Brown (The Berlin Patient), the first person to be cured of HIV. We also learn about Adam Castillejo (The London Patient), the second person to be cured of HIV.
Sarah talks us through where we are in terms of finding an HIV cure and the different options that are currently being explored.

Sources
I Am the Berlin Patient: A Personal Reflection (nih.gov)
Timothy Ray Brown – Wikipedia
Is there a cure for HIV and AIDS? | Avert
Adam Castillejo – Wikipedia
HIV vaccine trial starts at Oxford | University of Oxford

Further Information
Avert | Global information and education on HIV and AIDS

The third episode in our World AIDS Day special edition! Did you know that the HIV red ribbon was the very first awareness ribbon of its kind?! Have a listen to this episode to find out all about how and why the red ribbon came to be a symbol for HIV support and also why wearing the ribbon is so important.

Sources
Red ribbon – Wikipedia
The Red Ribbon Project | Visual AIDS
World AIDS Day – Wikipedia

This week we hear about a true Walford icon and Queen Vic regular – Mark Fowler. Mark was the first mainstream soap  character to be diagnosed as HIV positive, but how and why did this storyline come about?

Sources
Beyond the tombstone: how British TV responded to the AIDS crisis | BFI
atvtoday.co.uk

Further information
Magic Johnson Foundation

The first in our special World AIDS Day trilogy! We kick things off with the fascinating story of how the HIV virus was discovered and we induct Francoise-Barre-Sinoussi into the HIV Heroes hall of fame!

Sources
There are more viruses than stars in the universe. Why do only some infect us? (nationalgeographic.com)
Human retroviruses | Division of Medical Virology (uct.ac.za)
Reverse Transcriptase: Definition, Function & Structure – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

On the 7th of November 1991 Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson shocked the world by retiring from basketball and announcing that he is HIV positive. Since his diagnosis he has worked hard to highlight that HIV can affect anyone. He is an absolute HIV Hero and you need to have a listen to learn just what a legend he is!

Sources
Magic Johnson wishes he hadn’t retired so early [Video] | Lakers Now | Los Angeles Times (archive.org)
Safer Sex: What You Can Do to Avoid AIDS: Amazon.co.uk: Johnson, Earvin “Magic”: 9780099200215: Books
Magic Johnson Foundation | Do Good LA
Magic Johnson – Wikipedia

Further information
Magic Johnson Foundation

This week we feature someone that is part of the fab five, a hair stylist extraordinaire, podcaster and all round ray of sunshine. So have a listen and find out why Jonathan Van Ness is our HIV Hero!

Sources
Jonathan Van Ness on being HIV positive: ‘It gave me a reason to really fight’ | Queer Eye | The Guardian
Jonathan Van Ness – Wikipedia

Further information
Jonathan Van Ness | Getting Curious

In this episode we learn about Tom Hayes and Jess makes her case as to why he is an HIV hero. Tom is an absolute force to be reckoned with and works tirelessly to advocate, support, educate and create change in the world of HIV.

Sources
Tom Hayes, Author at beyondpositive
Tom Hayes – PositiveLad (ukpositivelad.com)
Home – Saving Lives (savinglivesuk.com)
HIV-positive campaigner Tom Hayes on the horrific moment he was wrongly accused of ‘deliberately infecting’ others – Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

Further Information
Positively Thriving | LiVLife

Facebook @ukpositivelad
Twitter @PositiveLad
Instagram @positivelad

Today we feature a true icon and dig a little deeper into her involvement in the field of HIV and we learn why she’s Sarah’s HIV Hero.

Sources
Princess Diana’s very real role in fighting the stigma of Aids | Letters | The Guardian
How Diana, Princess of Wales was instrumental in trying to stop the stigma against HIV/AIDs | Tatler
The Crown: True Story of Princess Diana’s Visits to AIDS Wards (elle.com)The day I met Princess Diana when she visited a London HIV center (gaystarnews.com)
Gallup Vault: Fear and Anxiety During the 1980s AIDS Crisis

This week Jess’ HIV Hero is an openly gay, openly HIV positive, British-Nigerian Priest of the Anglican Church of England. Some call him The Happy Holy Homosexual, but you might have heard of him as the, phenomenal, Reverend Jide Macaulay.  #bemorejide

Sources
HIV positive gay priest Jide Macaulay: ‘I thought I’m going to die’ (pinknews.co.uk)
Ministry and Me, with Rev. Jide Macaulay by Black Boy Joy Podcast • A podcast on Anchor
Nigerian Gay Pastor Jide Macaulay Shares His Story ▷ Legit.ng
Jide Macaulay – NBJC Ubuntu (beenhere.org)

Further Information
House of Rainbow
Home – Saving Lives (savinglivesuk.com)
Mildmay – Transforming the Lives of People living with HIV
Poetry Inspired – Rebirth with Jide Macaulay – Poetry Inspired – Rebirth; is a poetry blog to share my inspired poems, the greatest strength and source of my writing is my faith and spirituality. I also write about my pains, challenges, joys and hope, seek healing from the emerging words. It is my hope that there will be opportunities to share other peoples work. I also want to share this space with writings that connects with sexuality and sexual orientation. (wordpress.com) 

Twitter @RevJide
Instagram @jidemacaulay
Facebook @JideRebirthMacaulay 

In this episode of ‘HIV Heroes’ Sarah and Jess talk all things Jill Nalder. This incredible woman has had a huge impact on the lives of so many people living with HIV. Her experiences also helped inspire the smash hit series ‘It’s a Sin’.  #bemorejill

Sources
Jill Nalder – Wikipedia
In Conversation with Jill Nalder | Cherwell
It’s A Sin: The woman who inspired Russell T Davies’ Aids drama – BBC News

Further Information
Who We Are – MAD (madtrust.org.uk)
Home – The Sussex Beacon
The WestEnders – Welcome!

This week we feature not just one HIV Hero, not two, but a whole bunch! Sarah tells us the story of the wonderful women who founded Positively UK. Learning the history of such a fantastic organisation is fascinating, so go and have a listen now and learn about some more HIV Heroes!

Sources
Positively UK
‘Am I the only woman in Britain living with this?’ The hidden history of women with HIV (inews.co.uk)

Further info
Groups-for-HIV-positive-drug-users-1.pdf (drugwise.org.uk)
triple_jeopardyDwAWT3.pdf (panosnetwork.org)
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and USAID announce innovative collaboration to support health supply chain leaders in low- and middle-income countries | Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Positively Woman: Living with AIDS: Amazon.co.uk: O’Sullivan, Sue, Thomson, Kate: 9780044409434: Books

In this ‘HIV Heroes’ episode of our podcast, Sarah and Jess talk about the fascinating story of how Gaëtan Dugas, a Canadian flight attendant, became known as the infamous ‘Patient Zero’, those who debunked this myth and how they did it.

Sources 
H.I.V. Arrived in the U.S. Long Before ‘Patient Zero’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Gaëtan Dugas – Wikipedia 

Further information
HIV Patient Zero cleared by science – BBC News
Killing Patient Zero | Fadoo Productions
Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS Epidemic Book
The Origins of AIDS Book
Cluster of Cases of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Patients linked by sexual contact (nih.gov)
1970s and ‘Patient 0’ HIV-1 genomes illuminate early HIV/AIDS history in North America
“Patient Zero”: The Absence of a Patient’s View of the Early North American AIDS Epidemic
And the Band Played On – Wikipedia