On Saturday December 1st, landmarks around the City of Perth turned red for World AIDS Day.

Yagan Square, Optus Stadium, Matagarup Bridge, Elizabeth Quay, The Bell Tower, Council House, Crown Metropol, The Court, Regal Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, Trafalgar Bridge, St Mary’s Cathedral and The Old Mill all lit up in shades of red to show solidarity with those living with HIV, and commemorate the lives of those lost.

Ahead of the illumination, WA AIDS Council CEO David Kernohan said that while advances in treatment have made HIV a chronic manageable illness, there remains a misunderstanding within the broader community that HIV only affects men who have sex with men.

“The statistics indicate an increasing number of heterosexual men are being diagnosed with HIV and it is important for men to test for HIV.”

Last week the WA AIDS Council also launched the Meaningful Involvement of People Living With and Affected by HIV Report and Action Plan 2018-2019 (MIPA), following a 12 month consultation process with people living with HIV and affected communities.

The organisation also identified many ways it could improve its operations in the future, including increasing the involvement of people living with HIV on steering committees and reference groups.

OIP Staff