‘The only way we’ll have real pride is when we demand recognition of a culture that isn’t just sexual. It’s all there – all through history we’ve been there; but we have to claim it, and identify who was in it, and articulate what’s in our minds and hearts and all our creative contributions to this earth. And until we do that, and until we organise ourselves block by neighbourhood by city by state into a united visible community that fights back, we’re doomed.’ Larry Kramer, ACT UP New York
Since AIDS began, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) movement has been at the forefront of empowering the most marginalised, including criminalised populations such as the LGBTQIA+ community. Today our energy, tenacity, creativity and commitment to direct action to end the AIDS crisis are needed now more than ever.
The dual threats to people living with HIV and AIDS across the world from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump are deadly and now compounded by Starmer’s disastrous decision to carry out the largest cuts to UK foreign aid in history to fund defence. In South Africa alone, funding cuts could lead to 500,000 deaths in 10 years, experts warn. HIV clinics across the world are now shutting their doors. AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power’s (ACT UP) are calling on the UK government to “FIGHT AIDS NOT WAR”.
What are we going to do about it? Collectivise our grief and our rage with RADICAL JOY AND PRIDE IN COMMUNITY AND GET ORGANISED.
So please join us to kick off Pride for ALL ABOARD ACT UP - the Pride Celebration of AIDS Activism Fundraiser on a boat on the Thames with local and international speakers and artists from across the generations of the global HIV movement to build our energy to continue fighting. The day is in partnership with the National AIDS Trust (NAT), Positively UK and other key HIV advocacy movements. Everyone new and old to the movement welcome. Profits go to Positively UK, Positive East and This is My Culture.
Expect - INFORMATIVE speeches including from leading HIV activists including James Cole (NAT), BANGING tunes from DJ’s Chano, Bass Gravy, Stav B, Mica Coca, Jake Reed, Knayohmi, Public Toilet Disco, TASTY food, the most FIERCE, HOT AND INSPIRING PEOPLE you could ever hope to meet and CELEBRATE a few special HIVversaries (years living with HIV) of some our activists - Jonathan, Naomi, Marshall, Stephen, Jen, LeaSuwanna, dan and others!
Meeting point – Westminster Pier 2.30pm sharp – ending at 6pm at Westminster Pier at 6.30pm followed by an after-party at The George Tavern 11pm-3am.
Cost - £10-£20
Bank – Triodos Bank Account Name – ACT UP LONDON Account Number – 20675100 Sort Code – 16 58 10
Accessibility - Thames Party Boat website info here and The George Tavern website is here. There is a short ramp for access to the George pub on the ground floor and an accessible toilet is located to the rear of the George pub on the ground floor. Please contact actuplondonhealthcareforall@gmail.com with any access needs.
Dress code - Whatever makes you feel FABULOUS.
Dedicated to Us - The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals, united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS Crisis. www.actuplondon.wordpress.com
Read more here - The Nation - We need to Turn Our Outrage Way Up - This is no time to sit idly by. People’s lives are at stake. We have to put our bodies on the line and HIV i-base - CROI (Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections) 2025: Stand Up For Science rally against Trump funding freeze
Poster credit - ACT UP Artivist Legend - Luca Er Baghetta Modesti @erbaghetta
‘Oppressors take very seriously the possibility that culture can be used as a vehicle for the organisation of protest or rebellion or, dammit, revolution.’ Cecil Gutzmore
ACT UP! FIGHT BACK! FIGHT AIDS! UNTIL THERE IS HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!