This is me (right) on an Outrage ‘kiss in’ demo at Clapham Common in 1991.
At the time you could be arrested for demonstrating same sex affection in public under gross indecency laws, not repealed until 2003.
This ‘kiss in’ was in response to Police harassment of gay cruisers on Clapham Common.
Although we no longer risk arrest in the UK, it is still unsafe for #LGBTQ people to show affection in public.
Sometimes it’s not even safe just to be ourselves.
#LGBTplusHM #LGBTHistoryMonth

…homosexuals who carry the plague and infect other people’
‘Poofs school talk’
‘They are not mad. They are just plain evil.’
How newspapers talked about #LGBTQ in early 1988, just before Section 28, banning the ‘promotion of homosexuality’, became law.
The parallels between the media treatment of gay men and lesbians then and their treatment of trans people now are clear.
As someone who fought Section 28 then, I stand in solidarity with trans people now.
#LGBTplusHM #lgbtplushistorymonth

@ianbetteridge Thank you. It’s the first art thing I’ve done since I was at Uni. I’d like to do some more. Need to work out how.

How cool is this? A painting of mine made it into a sumptuous ‘coffee-table’ art book, Invisible Portraits, which celebrates #LGBTQ+ artists, lives and activists.
I painted #queer filmmaker, activist and gardener Derek Jarman.
I wanted to capture his joy, so chose an image of his canonisation by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in 1991, three years before his death from #AIDS.
He later described it as one of the happiest days of his life.

I was blown away by #GeorgeTakei’s powerful new musical #Allegiance.
It deals with the terrible treatment of Japanese Americans in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour, inspired by Takei’s childhood.
These uncomfortable stories are often airbrushed from history. George’s passion for correcting the record shines through. The show packs a hefty emotional punch and is brilliantly realised by a superb cast, incl. #TellyLeung and George himself.
Probably the best new musical I’ve seen in ages.
#startrek

A CD4 count that remains below 500 despite #HIV treatment indicates an increased risk of death.
https://www.aidsmap.com/news/jan-2023/lower-chances-survival-people-whose-cd4-count-remains-under-500-polish-researchers

At a rare venture into the outside world.
This gathering was prompted by the anniversary of the death of our friend, chemsex activist David Stuart.
Even given the sad circumstance, I am conscious how blessed I am to have these gorgeous (and young) people in my life.
Around the table L-R pole-dancing stand-up, Sian Docksey, brilliant actors Kane Surry and Elliot Hadley, Richard Aldridge, actor / producer Denholm Spurr and DJ / activist David Robson… icons every one.
#lgbtq #chemsex

Prince Harry donated $1.5m from the proceeds of Spare to Sentebale, the charity he founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support young people affected by HIV.
He carries on his mother’s work.
#PrinceHarry #PrinceHarrySpare #HIV #AIDS #PrincessDiana