Birmingham-based artists join forces to centre real stories of HIV

Birmingham creatives are joining forces to give voice to people living with HIV, centring stories of hope for the future as they mark this year’s World AIDS Day held on 1^st December. Dancers, actors and visual artists will all be taking part in this year’s events, performing and exhibiting their work at venues across the city centre on December 1^st 2025.

Among the creatives behind this year’s World AIDS Day efforts are two people who live with HIV themselves: Jerry Lee, dancer and choreographer who founded arts organisation Art Thou OK Bab, and Garry Jones, an artist whose work is currently on show at Birmingham’s National Trust Back To Backs, in an exhibition entitled ‘Beyond Glitter and Feathers: My Artvism is my Pride’.

The health-conscious artists are presenting work which tells the stories of people living with the virus, to help more people understand the realities of HIV. Jones has helped dozens of people design and produce quilts that are stitched with stories about HIV. They will be exhibited at the Library of Birmingham in the week before World AIDS Day and remain on display there until 31^st January 2016.

“HIV still attracts a lot of stigma,” says Garry. “1 in 10 of us have told nobody in our lives about our diagnosis. More than three quarters have suffered discrimination. That has real material and mental health impacts.”

Jones was also integral in bringing Birmingham’s HIV and AID Memorial into reality. As with previous years, the memorial will be central to the World AIDS Day proceedings, playing host to commemorative wreath laying and performances. The event will feature a special set by the community choir Rainbow Voices, and an operatic rendition of Des’ree’s 'I’m Kissing You' by professional tenor Robert Edwards.

Birmingham HIV & AIDS Memorial

Additionally, Jerry Lee has choreographed a special dance presentation ‘Flashmob’, which will be performed in Hippodrome Square on December 1st.

Jerry explains: “It affects all of us: stigma means people don’t test for HIV, and that means they get sicker than they need to, and can even pass on the virus to others. Reducing stigma can help us all.”

Other artistic events for the day will include a drama piece featuring scenes from the play Breeders by Louis Wharton performed at the Library of Birmingham, following the official opening of the ‘Living Quilts Exhibition’. Those attending World AIDS Day in the city can then follow the Living Quilts as they are carried from the library to Hippodrome Square’s HIV Memorial Ribbons for the furthur performances.

“We’ll all be telling the true stories of people living with the virus – and their loved ones,” says Jerry. “We want to show how broad, varied and often unexpected HIV really is. People have fixed ideas about it – but anyone can and does get HIV, and we need to be better at talking about it.”

Full Programme of events:

5.30pm – Official opening of the Living Quilts exhibition at Library of Birmingham

5.45pm – Scenes from the play Breeders by Louis Wharton, Library of Birmingham

6pm – Living Quilts carried from Centenary Square to Hippodrome Square

6.30pm – Flashmob dance production at Hippodrome Square

6.50pm – Operatic performance and laying of wreaths, The Ribbons on Hurst Street

7pm – Rainbow Voices choir performs, The Ribbons on Hurst Street