London, December 2009: POSITIVE LIVES was established in 1993 and is a unique global project that uses photography and personal testimonies to confront the attitudes at the root of the stigma and prejudices surrounding HIV/AIDS.

 

NEW ERA FOR POSITIVE LIVES

Positive Lives is entering a new era – since 1993 Positive Lives has operated within the UK HIV/AIDS charity, The Terrence Higgins Trust. Following on from this hugely successful period, the Positive Lives Committee (Trevor Pearcy, Amanda Stone, Francesca Kirby, Thomas Lawson and Kevin Ryan) is pleased to announce that in December 2009 Positive Lives moves to become part of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the ‘Alliance’.

 

This new stage is welcomed by those most closely linked to Positive Lives, its Founders, Lyndall Stein and Steve Mayes, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the volunteers and Committee of Positive Lives.

 

“The Alliance and Positive Lives have shared values in the fight against stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV/AIDS and in providing support to the individuals and communities living with the disease. The Alliance very much welcomes Positive Lives as an important resource in its ongoing work.”, confrims Alvaro Bermejo, Chief Executive International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

 

The Terrence Higgins Trust

Trevor Pearcy, Chair of Positive Lives says, “I am taking this opportunity to express the deep appreciation of all the Committee for the Terrence Higgins Trust and its Chief Executive, Sir Nicholas Partridge, who has given his support over the years from the very beginning of the Positive Lives Project. His commitment and the assistance of the staff at THT have made the Project possible”.

 

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance and Positive Lives

Positive lives is taking a great stride forward in coming into the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

 

Human stories can challenge the sources of the ignorance and prejudices faced by individuals, communities and societies living with HIV/AIDS - Positive Lives plays a vital role in strengthening community, government and administrative resolve to make a difference. The work of the Alliance and its global ‘family’ is very much driven by working with communities so often marginalised and provides an excellent opportunity to utilise the Positive Lives resource.

 

Positive Lives – the individuals and communities

There would be no Positive Lives if it was not for the courage of those individuals and communities who are prepared to tell their stories. So often those stories are of their daily fight against stigma, prejudice and the denial of their basic Human Rights

 

The Committee is indebted to them for their bravery.

 

Positive Lives – our photographers

The work of the vast majority of our photographers will transfer to the Alliance. The Positive Lives Committee would like to thank all the photographers for their time, commitment and dedication.

 

The Photographers: Mike Abrahams - Shahidul Alam - Michael Amendolia - Jodi Bieber - Pep Bonet - Gigi Cohen - Denis Doran - Nilayan Dutta - Stuart Freedman - Mike Goldwater - C Moore Hardy - Fritz Hoffman - Roger Hutchings - Peter Jordan - Osamu Kikuchi - Barry Lewis - Harriet Logan - Paul Lowe - Jenny Matthews - Gideon Mendel - Lu Ning - Alan O’Connor - Judah Passow - Jack Picone - Christopher Pillitz - Mark Power - Steve Pyke - Paul Reas - Eugene Richards - Dayanita Singh - John Sturrock.

 

The Positive Lives photographers have won numerous prestigious awards – including for photographic commissions with Positive Lives.

 

Positive Lives – our global partners & friends

Positive Lives has worked closely with a variety of individuals, organisations, groups and governments to challenge the stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV/AIDS, to provide for the basic Human Rights of individuals and to push for greater access to education and treatment.

 

These partnerships enable all parties to develop projects, reach communities and make a difference in ways otherwise unachievable.

 

However, whilst there have been many who have contributed to the success of Positive Lives as a resource to fight stigma and discrimination around the globe, the Committee would especially like to thank Alan Christie, Alice Wynne Willson, Betsy Williams, Colin Lloyd, John Sturrock, Lynn O’Donoghue, Mark Muggeridge, Mike Abrahams, Neil Burgess, Roy Edmondson, Scott Bradley-Pearce, Shahidul Alam, Terry Trethowan, Wilma Doedens together with the support of Emma Lister, Kevin Rudeforth and - Ayuda en Acción, Actionaid, Concern Worldwide, Drik, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Levi Strauss Foundation, The Asia Society, UNFPA & UNHCR.

 

We would also like to acknowledge the outstanding commitment and dedication of Francesca Kirby, Positive Lives’ Project Manager, who has ensured the Project and Programmes around the Globe have been so instrumental in challenging the discrimination arising from HIV/AIDS.

 

Positive Lives – the future

"Positive Lives has grown from what was intended as a one-off exhibition, into a global project working with organisations and community groups around the world. That it is still run by volunteers is a testament to all those who have continued to make it happened.

Its aim has always been to challenge the stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV/AIDS, to support those living with and effected by the disease and to fight for their basic Human Rights. We therefore very much welcome the Project becoming part of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and this new era in Positive Lives."

 

Lyndall Stein & Steve Mayes Co-Founders of Positive Lives

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Positive Lives on Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/positivelives/collections/ - these pages present the Positive Lives archive of photographic stories and details of our photographers and their work; as well as images showing Positive Lives Project exhibitions, events and other activities at work within communities living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. You can use the sets, collections and tags within our Flickr to search through the subjects, themes and issues of the Positive Lives images.

 

For more information on the Alliance see www.aidsalliance.org and see the monthly newsletter ‘The Loop’ at www.aidsalliance.org/Pagedetails.aspx?id=203 and the Alliance ‘Positive Lives’ page www.aidsalliance.org/Pagedetails.aspx?id=380