National AIDS Trust on Workplace Inclusivity, Battling Stigma, and More

Ahead of World AIDS Day 2022, myGwork reached out to charity organization National AIDS Trust (NAT) to discuss the incredible work they do. From battling HIV related stigma to advice for workplace inclusivity, NAT provides a helpful and insightful perspective on how to be a good ally to people living with HIV.

Image Credit: National AIDS Trust

Could you tell us a little bit about your charity and the work that you do?

National AIDS Trust is the UK’s HIV rights charity. We work to stop new HIV transmissions and to secure and defend the rights of everyone living with, affected by or at risk of HIV. Some of our successes include making PrEP, the HIV prevention medication, available for free on the NHS, making pre-employment health questionnaires illegal – so employers can’t decide whether to offer a job based on HIV status, and ensuring HIV is recognized as a disability, leading to a host of legal protections. We also run a discrimination casework service, supporting and advocating for people living with HIV facing discrimination because of their status.

We maintain the World AIDS Day website and are the UK’s main supplier of the iconic red ribbon. Every year, we work with thousands of companies to support them in marking World AIDS Day at work.

What advice do you have for allies who want to support people living with HIV?

World AIDS Day is one very visible way to show support. The red ribbon is the globally recognized symbol for HIV awareness and wearing – or ‘rocking’ – a ribbon shows people living with HIV that you care about HIV equality. Educating yourself about HIV so you have a clearer understanding of the experiences and needs of colleagues or clients living with HIV will also help you to identify the need for, and help to implement, change at work.

People living with HIV may or may not wish to share their status at work, but they should feel comfortable to do so, and confident that they will be supported and not discriminated against. Marking World AIDS Day and being part of an ongoing conversation about HIV equality helps to create an atmosphere where someone can be open about their status if they wish to be.