HIV/AIDs Awareness Ribbon

This ribbon was bought at Liverpool Pride 2015 to support Sahir House, an organisation providing HIV support, information and training in Merseyside. The red ribbon became a symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness in 1991 when Visual AIDS, a group of New York based artists and HIV activists decided to produce a visual symbol to raise awareness and show support for those living with HIV. Pink and rainbow ribbons were initially suggested but were rejected because the artists wanted to show that HIV/AIDS was something that did not only affect the LGBT community, that it was relevant to everyone. The red HIV/AIDS awareness ribbon was the first time a ribbon of its size and style had been used as a symbol for awareness and support. Soon the symbol became popular and over 100,000 red ribbons were distributed to those attending the tribute concert for Freddie Mercury, the singer who died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS in 1991. Today the symbol is recognised worldwide as a symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV and continues to be worn, especially around World AIDS Day on 1 December.