Gordon Brown praises gay community in World Aids Day message

In a video recorded especially for World AIDS Day 2009 Gordon Brown commends the early contribution the UK gay community made in addressing the disease.

In reference to the 1980’s when AIDS devastated gay communities around the world Brown said: “"Even in the midst of so much sorrow, those who had lost loved ones refused to accept the silence and the stigma and set up pioneering charities which are still saving and changing lives today."

It is estimated that more than 80,000 people are now living with HIV in the UK however the number could be far greater because most people with HIV, it is believed, remain undiagnosed.

“More than a quarter of people with HIV don’t know they have the disease because they haven’t been tested” he warns, adding that the government is committed to increasing HIV testing and tackling the stigma that persists.

During the two minute piece recorded for The National AIDS Trust website Brown also praises activists world-wide who have “refused to give up in the face of HIV and AIDS”

Deborah Jack, chief executive of NAT, said: “We are delighted that Gordon Brown has provided a message for our World AIDS Day website.  We are especially pleased he has spoken about HIV in the UK in particular the need to increase HIV testing as well as fighting prejudice.  He is right to say there is no room for complacency in tackling HIV. 

We hope the concern and commitment the Prime Minister had expressed today will be remembered beyond World AIDS Day.”

World AIDS day 2009 takes place on December 1st.

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Related Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnX5KYFk6ss

http://www.nat.org.uk/