World AIDS Day - Employers Event

Employers showing the way to a Positive Future
A celebration of UK industryís fight against HIV stigma and discrimination

One World AIDS Day December 1st 2003 The Mayor of London supported an event hosted by the Positive Futures partnership at City Hall, London. Speakers from the BBC, The Cabinet Office and GlaxoSmithKline spoke about the work of UK employers in the fight against HIVAIDS.

Advances in medication have meant many people living with HIV now have long and successful careers. However, stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV means over 50% of people living with HIV do not feel safe to disclose to their employer.

Andrew Little, Director of Positive Futures says ì Many employers are taken aback by the energy and motivation of an HIV positive employee. They are grabbing a second chance of lifeî.

Richard South is Director of HIV and Malaria programmes at GlaxoSmithKline and will discussed how his employers have supported him since he disclosed his positive HIV status.

The worldwide effect of HIVAIDS was also explored, as Cecilia Ali a mature university graduate living with HIV in London said in her speech ìI can look back and realise if I had still been in Uganda I would probably have diedî.