Panel Discussion: Showing Out – ‘Positive Allies’ and the Creative Workplace

This event will act as an introduction to ‘Positive Allies’, with a panel discussion around HIV stigma and the workplace, and a look at how the visual representation of HIV/AIDS has evolved since the 1980s (with an accompanying display of graphic ephemera).

‘Positive Allies’ is an innovative scheme that aims to actively address stigma and prejudice through the adoption of a charter mark to show that an employer is HIV friendly. This free process helps organisations focus on the quality of staff training, recruitment and protection they offer to employees living with HIV.

The art and design industry (which historically lost a number of creative people to AIDS) can now lead the way in openly demonstrating support for people living with HIV. The London Design Festival is therefore an opportunity for the creative community to find out more about the ‘Positive Allies’ scheme and hear from HIV advocates.

Speakers:

Drew Dalton: founder of ‘Positive Allies’; Senior Lecturer in Sociology & Programme Leader MSc Inequality and Society, University of Sunderland.

Ant Babajee: ‘Unashamedly undetectable’ HIV campaigner; MSc Applied Public Health student and LGBT+ Everyone Else Forum co-chair, Middlesex University.

Mel Rattue, Positively UK and Catwalk4Power; founder Positively Mindful.

Siân Cook: Senior Lecturer, Graphic & Media Design, LCC; HIV design activist.

Andrew Slatter: Senior Lecturer, Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator Year 1, LCC