AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Holly Johnson, the charismatic lead singer of the 1980s phenomenon Frankie Goes to Hollywood, rose to fame with three consecutive number ones: "Relax," "Two Tribes," and "The Power of Love." However, the band's split in 1987 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Holly Johnson, particularly after his HIV/AIDS diagnosis in 1991.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Gaétan Dugas, wrongly labelled ‘patient zero’ in 1987 for allegedly introducing AIDS to North America due to misinterpreted epidemiological data, was later vindicated. His participation in a cluster study was crucial for understanding HIV/AIDS transmission. This shift transformed his legacy; he is now seen as ‘Patient Hero’ by the community. in 1993 there was a musical film and in 2019 a documentary film by those who knew him.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In April 1959, 25-year-old David Carr from Manchester fell ill at the Manchester Royal Infirmary with a baffling illness culminating in his death by September. His doctors shared his case in a 1960 Lancet article noting he had a severely compromised immune system. By the late 1980s, tests on stored samples showed Carr had HIV, marking him as the world’s first identified AIDS patient.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Those affected or infected with HIV/AIDS have often faced ostracism from friends, family, and workplaces, casting a shadow over their already challenging circumstances. We check out the experiences of four men—Andrew Peters, Michael Buck, Andrew Fay, and David Morgan—highlight the grim realities of workplace discrimination during the height of the AIDS crisis.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Todd Shuttleworth was diagnosed with AIDS in June 1984, and was fired from his job three months later when his employer found out. Todd became one of the first individuals in the United States to take legal action against his employer for wrongful dismissal, marking the beginning of a protracted legal battle that paralleled his personal struggle with the illness.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In the 1980s, society grappled with the grim reality of the AIDS epidemic, but it was the subsequent emergence of ‘AIPS’ - AIDS Induced Panic Syndrome - that reshaped the public narrative. The hysteria of AIPS often overshadowed the actual disease. This duality of response—ranging from the ludicrous to the tragic—illustrates the potent mix of anxiety and misinformation that characterised the era.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Dave Patridge was 31 when he received the diagnosis of AIDS in the summer of 1987, a time when fear and misinformation surrounded the disease. Originating from Illinois, USA he courageously chronicled his journey through illness in a diary, which he shared with the Herald & Review newspaper. His poignant reflections providing insight into the struggles and realities faced by those living with AIDS.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In this series finale, we delve into the complex and often troubling interplay between fear and exploitation surrounding AIDS diagnoses. Incidents of 'spitting', where individuals discharged saliva while claiming to be AIDS carriers. Equally disturbing are the stories of criminals wielding hypodermic needles, asserting that they contained HIV-infected blood.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In this episode, we examine two notable cases of what has been termed 'HIV reckless transmission,' an aspect of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) where an individual transmits HIV to another without disclosing their status. The UK’s first man to be prosecuted, the judge remarked that the case relied on “pitiful evidence," highlighting the inherent difficulties in establishing a clear connection between the transmission of the virus.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In this episode, we delve into the lives of three men whose HIV/AIDS status tragically intertwined with their court appearances, leading to a profound public outing by the media. Each individual faced not only the repercussions of their alleged crimes but also the harsh realities of stigma associated with their health condition.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Mark Trotter, a social worker from Hackney, was also a figure within the Labour movement. Following his death in 1995 from AIDS, the press ignited a firestorm of allegations that branded him a paedophile. It then came to light that several accusations had been made against him prior to his death, yet Merseyside police arrived in London with an arrest warrant to find that Trotter had died two weeks earlier from AIDS.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
During the AIDS pandemic, a troubling subculture arose, characterised by exploitation. One woman sold her HIV positive test results to fraudsters to claim state benefits. Additionally, two were arrested for blackmailing supermarkets by threatening to inject food with HIV for money. These incidents show moral degradation in a crisis and the lengths some will go for financial gain.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Judge Gloria presides over a high-profile case against Dr. James Sharp, exposed by investigative journalist Duncan Campbell and BBC's Watchdog of a fraudulent AIDS cure. Sharp faces the General Medical Council for misleading patients. Meanwhile, Mark Lloyd-Flynn was discovered stalking AIDS wards while posing as a doctor before being discovered interfering with patients care.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
This episode we learn a nine-year-old is killed by her mother given her own fear she had AIDS. Charged with murder she pleads manslaughter; her plea reveals the dangers of AIDS misinformation. Conversely, Ashley Gillard's trust in a lover leads to betrayal when he reveals his HIV status. His lover ignored Ashley’s seizure and instead watched him die before fleeing and setting fire to Ashley’s home.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
PART 2: Michele Lupo is arrested in an undercover police sting and charged for four murders and three attempted murders. He tells detectives he felt “abused” by friends and society as reason for random murder. However, Lupo tests positive for AIDS while in custody and detectives believe AIDS is motive for murder. As the investigation deepens, so do the headlines and wild police theories.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
PART 1: 1986, a series of tragic events unfolded in London, resulting in the murder of four men and the attempted murder of three others. The pivotal moment came when one of the survivors courageously identified Michele del Marco Lupo as the assailant in a local gay pub, leading to his arrest and a sentencing of four life terms.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In 1982, San Francisco became a pivotal backdrop for a landmark moment in the fight against AIDS, as four men publicly revealed their diagnosis, courageously confronting the stigma and fear surrounding the disease. Their heartfelt testimonies illuminated the human experience behind the statistics, transforming ignorance into compassion.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In 1985, four men each spoke on prime time television about their HIV diagnosis and the stigma around it. Speaking publicly challenged misinformation and societal backlash, humanising the struggles of those with HIV and promoting awareness and compassion. Their courage remains crucial in the fight against stigma and in advocating for the rights and respect of those affected by HIV/AIDS, even four decades on.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Reverend Gregory Richards was thrust into the public eye under the most harrowing circumstances when he was diagnosed with AIDS. Labelled by the tabloid press as the “AIDS Priest” and “AIDS Chaplain,” he became a target for sensationalism and vilification, particularly due to his sexuality. A dedicated prison chaplain working with young offenders, he found himself at the centre of media scrutiny.
AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
Chris Egner, was an "outgoing" gay man in his twenties, and dedicated to helping others through his faith. At a time when blood donations were in demand he answered the call twice a year, unaware he was HIV+. When his plasma was pooled with thousands of other donors to create Factor8, the British press sensationalised the situation. Claiming he unwittingly infected 40 others, leading to controversy and unjust blame.