Harlow MP Chris Vince shares his own family’s loss as Government highlights action on HIV during debate on LGBT+ History Month
The death of Harlow MP Chris Vince’s uncle prompted him to call for an end to stigma around HIV.
Mr Vince – whose Harlow constituency includes the Hallingburys, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Lower Sheering and Matching – spoke out in the House of Commons during a debate on LGBT+ History Month introduced by equalities minister Nia Griffith.
The minister said: “For most people under the age of 40, it is almost impossible to imagine a society in which LGBT+ people were not visible and integrated.
“Most, if not all, of us have LGBT+ family, friends and colleagues; in this chamber, one in 10 members identifies as LGBT+, a world record for any parliament, as far as we know.
“Yet it was not long ago that LGBT+ people were either invisible or villainised. If an LGBT+ person was hospitalised, their partner was not recognised as next of kin.
“Trans people on television were confined to clichés and offensive stereotypes. According to the papers, LGBT+ people were deviants to be feared.
“That British society is now largely a welcoming place for LGBT+ people is due to the tireless and patient efforts of countless individuals and groups.”
Mr Vince said: “I was reminded of my Uncle Stephen, who sadly passed away in the ’90s following a positive HIV diagnosis and I wanted to take this opportunity to mention him in this place.
“Does the minister agree that it is so important that we end the stigma around HIV to support more people so that people like my Uncle Stephen do not have their lives ended prematurely?”
Mrs Griffith thanked Mr Vince for “a very, very personal experience of the terrible losses we saw in the 1980s and 1990s”.
Earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer became the first sitting Prime Minister to take a public HIV test. The Labour leader was screened to raise awareness of National HIV Testing Week.
His Labour Government wants to end new HIV cases in England by 2030. A new HIV Action Plan is to be published this summer.
