Make An Equality Stand

posted: 14/04/2011

People who want to protect the rights of people living with HIV and stand up for Equality should post a comment on the government’s website called the RedTapeChallenge. We have no idea why, but the Cameron government seems to think Equality law and Human Rights are just bureaucratic red tape regulations that should be swept away. They ask people to
 

"Tell us what you think should happen to this Act and why, being specific where possible:
• Should they be scrapped altogether?
• Can they be merged with existing regulations?
• Can we simplify them – or reduce the bureaucracy associated with them?
• Have you got any ideas to make these regulations better?
• Do you think they should be left as they are?"

We encourage people to stand up for HIV, Human Rights and Equality for all. This law provides vital protection for people with HIV among many other groups.

Some excellent responses on the RedTapeChallenge website make the point that the Equality Act is a very recent law (2010) passed by Parliament and not regulations at all.
 

There are also many uninformed and hostile calls for the whole law to be scrapped.

People concerned about equality and HIV need to make their voices heard.

Please – now
Go to the website and write a short note with your views on the Equality Act.

Some points to make

• the Equality Act is primary legislation, not regulations;
• say how wrong it is to pretend this is about regulations when the entire Equality Act 2010 appears to have been put up for grabs;
• ask people to say positive things about the Equality Act – it’s for everyone, whether women or men, whatever people’s race, beliefs or faith, sexuality, age, marriage or civil partnership, disability (which includes HIV and cancer), pregnancy and maternity, or gender reassignment. The Equality Act helps make the country more civilised, people respect our differences and organisations to provide services without discriminating.

Message the link / use Facebook / Twitter and other networks to people to add their voices
 

Making a quick comment only takes a moment

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Gay-Hate and HIV-Hate

posted: 01/04/2010

Blow the Whistle on Gay Hate is the name of a new booklet for gay and bisexual men about challenging gay hate, stigma, blaming, and abuse. This booklet could help people with HIV blow the whistle on HIV hate. Whether it is hate because of HIV, race, sexuality, gender, or disability, what you can do about it is much the same, so this booklet should help people with HIV, whether or not you are gay.

download the booklet Blow the Whistle on Gay Hate

HIV Hate Action

Have you been

• hit
• called names
• spat at
• had your things stolen or damaged

because of HIV?

That's harassment and it is a crime.

A new project helps people dealing with HIV harassment including HIV called Working it Through Together. It's run by Breakthrough UK, who are based in Manchester.

contact Working it Through Together 0161 273 5412

Official Hate Inquiry

HIV hate is also on the agenda for an official Inquiry into hate and harassment of people with disabilities (HIV counts in law as a disability). The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has started a formal Inquiry.

This is a serious step - it means they know the law is not working as it should. Public bodies (like councils and the NHS) have a legal duty to get rid of disability (including HIV) harassment but recent cases show councils are failing. 

After this formal Inquiry the Equalities and Human Rights Commission can order public bodies to do things. We think this is a great opportunity to push for some real action against HIV stigma from public bodies. We're working with NAT on this and have told the EHRC they should include HIV in their Inquiry. More details here   

Stonewall Gay Hate pages