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Why is World AIDS Day on December 1st?

Looking back at the origins, impact, and legacy of a day that has changed countless lives

Author

K Anderson
November 30, 2022

QUEER WORD
WORLD AIDS DAY

Every year on 1 December, the world comes together to mark World AIDS Day - a moment to raise awareness about HIV, remember those we've lost, and show support for those living with the virus.

First commemorated in 1988, it was the first-ever global health awareness day, and it remains one of the most powerful and unifying public health observances we have.

But have you ever stopped to wonder:

  • Why this date?

  • Who started it?

  • And how did it all begin?

You have? Well, then, you’ve come to the right place!

Let’s take a look under the bonnet and find out more.

Why Is World AIDS Day on December 1st?

You might think there’s deep symbolic meaning behind the date - but actually, it’s more about opportunism. It all came down to media timing.

In 1988, organisers realised that early December fell in a quiet news window - the perfect time just after the US elections, but before the big holiday rush - and they wanted maximum visibility. Pretty clever, eh?

Speaking of the Organisers - Just Who Started World AIDS Day?

James Bunn and Thomas Netter were two journalists (Bunn has the honour of being 'America’s first full-time television AIDS reporter'), who had joined the World Health Organisation as public information officers for its Global Program on AIDS.

With governments and drug developers dragging their heels when it came to finding solutions, they recognised the importance of clear and straightforward information as a way of tackling infection rates – if people had more knowledge about the virus and what they could do to protect themselves then this might just help to slow the spread.

Speaking to NPR in 2011, Bunn explained:

“The stigma that surrounded AIDS was actually twofold.

One of it was what you could easily argue had to do with homophobia. But also there was a stigma of fear. There was a lot that people felt they did not know about the epidemic and they were afraid.

And they were right to be afraid because of the things that they were hearing.

So, I think the stigma that surrounded it made it something that people didn't want to talk about. If it came into their lives, it was something that they didn't know what to say if it came into their lives.

And there were also, for people who were affected by it, they did not want to bring up whatever it was that their experience was with it because in those days, people were being fired from their job.

They were being denied Social Security benefits. They were being ostracized by their families. They were being evicted from their homes because they were sick and dying..”

James Bunn

How Do People Mark World AIDS Day?

One of the most recognisable symbols is the red ribbon, worn to honour lives lost and show solidarity with people living with HIV.

But why limit yourself to a simple ribbon? Some commemorations are a little more... out there. Like in 2005, when activists in Argentina covered the Obelisk of Buenos Aires with a 67-metre condom to raise awareness. Subtle? Not really. Memorable? Absolutely.

The Legacy of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is now the longest-running disease awareness initiative in public health history. It paved the way for other health awareness campaigns, from World Coeliac Day to International Diabetes Week.

But World AIDS Day was the OG - a bold, brave move to break the silence, reduce stigma, and advocate for change.

While medical advancements have transformed what it means to live with HIV today, the fight is far from over. HIV stigma, access to treatment, and global health inequities remain pressing challenges.

So whether you're wearing a ribbon, attending a vigil, or simply learning more, take a moment on 1 December to remember: World AIDS Day is about visibility, remembrance, and resistance.