In an action on World AIDS Day December 1st, ACT UP London fought back against comments by a prominent UK political party leader whose remarks against people living with HIV/AIDS highlighted just how much stigma is fueling the epidemic. This was their “gift” to UKIP, which was coordinated with a #ukipstinks campaign.

From their website:

“Activist Dan Glass: ‘Farage has suggested the UK should do what the USA and ‘virtually every other country in the world’ do and ban people with HIV from living here, because ‘We can’t afford to have people with life-threatening diseases’ – but those are all lies.  Only about 12% of countries deport people with HIV, the USA repealed its ban in 2010, and the UK has never seriously considered one!  We should be proud of that.’

‘We’re marking World AIDS Day by saying we’ve had enough. UKIP think they can spout filth without any consequences to them, but their lies directly impact millions by promoting stigma. This past week Farage’s former deputy leader made outrageous comments blaming gays for HIV, saying we lead ‘short, miserable lives.’  If anything is making us miserable it’s their fear-mongering and demonization, which makes people afraid to get tested or discuss their status.'”