This morning.
Hawkins House, Dublin 2
Members of Aids coalition Act Up picket the Department of Health about a crisis that has seen Ireland record the highest number of new HIV diagnoses ever last year.
Buzz writes:
On the eve of World AIDS Day, ACT UP Dublin is sounding an alarm to government, community stakeholders, and the public: Ireland is in the midst of an HIV crisis.
This morning in front of Department of Health Offices ACT UP installed an alarm clock to wake Ireland’s dormant institutions to the need for a renewed effort to address the expanding epidemic.
Thanks to advances in treatment and prevention, government has powerful new ways to reduce new HIV transmissions. ACT UP calls on authorities to do more than offer words. Government should devote greater resources, and take effective actions, to address the epidemic.
From top: HIV activist Robbie Lawlor; members of Act Up and artist Will Ledger.
Pics; Press Association
Meanwhile…
From top: Trevor Clarke MLA and Eamonn McCann MLA
A Northern Ireland politician has admitted he did not know heterosexual people could contract HIV until a charity explained the facts to him.
The DUP’s Trevor Clarke made the admission in a Stormont debate calling for a new HIV awareness campaign.
He was later accused of “unconscious homophobia” by Foyle MLA Eamonn McCann.
He said it was not so long ago that some politicians had proclaimed they would “Save Ulster From Sodomy” – referring to the campaign led by the DUP’s founder, the late Ian Paisley.
Mr McCann asked the assembly: “What’s wrong with sodomy anyway?”
The People Before Profit MLA also said he would have kissed more men in his life if it “hadn’t been for the stubble factor”.
DUP’s Clarke did not know heterosexuals could contract HIV (BBC)
Update:
Sammy Wilson on HIV: people get dementia/cancer “not always as a result of their own behaviour”. Ergo HIV…
Christ the night…— Squinter (@squinteratn) November 30, 2016
Thanks Colm Dore
