AIDS: The Lost Voices - Employment Claims
Those affected or infected with HIV/AIDS have often faced ostracism from friends, family, and workplaces, casting a shadow over their already challenging circumstances. The experiences of four men—Andrew Peters, Michael Buck, Andrew Fay, and David Morgan—highlight the grim realities of discrimination during the height of the AIDS crisis.
Peters was dismissed from his position as a restaurant manager simply for allowing a television crew to film a segment in his establishment, aiming to raise awareness about the pandemic. Buck, a cinema projectionist with 17 years of service, was let go solely due to his sexual orientation, as his colleagues and employer unfoundedly feared he might be HIV positive.
Fay, employed by London Lighthouse, faced similar repercussions as he was fired for struggling to meet work demands after his AIDS diagnosis. Lastly, Morgan was dismissed for being “overtly” gay, with his employer even disclosing his HIV status. In the face of adversity, all four men took courageous steps to challenge their employers legally, confronting the pervasive fear and prejudice surrounding HIV/AIDS.
All articles and relevant documents from this episode are available on the:
XTRA Tea Blog AIDS: THE LOST VOICES - EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
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Music / Instrumental by Aries Beats 'A Sin' + WEBSITE
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Third-party media: Used under 'fair use' for the sole purpose of education, criticism and/or research relating to HIV/AIDS, featured in this podcast. No copyright infringement intended -
British Newspaper Archives / NewspapersAudio Clip: Soho Brasserie on AIDS ©Thames Television 'AIDS The Last Chance'Audio Clip: 1987 UK Government AIDS Monolith TV AdvertAudio Clip: The London Lighthouse AIDS Hospice © Thames Television NewsAudio Clip: 1986 Gay Rights Protest Haringey Council © Thames Television News
AIDS: The Lost Voices
In "AIDS: The Lost Voices," hosts William Hampson and Gloria take a profound look back at the often overlooked narratives of individuals affected by the AIDS crisis in the 80s and 90s.
They navigate through the archives of British newspapers, shedding light on the lived experiences that were overshadowed by sensationalist headlines. Hampson, drawing from his own harrowing experiences as detailed in his book 'The Lost Boys of Soho', highlights the personal toll of the pandemic, revealing how stigma and fear shaped the lives of countless individuals within the gay community.
Together, they aim to honour the voices that were lost amidst the chaos, providing a platform for understanding the human stories that contributed to the history of AIDS in Britain.
- No. of episodes: 37
- Latest episode: 2025-05-09
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