Red Ribbon

Why A Red Ribbon?

The Red Ribbon still remains an important part of AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day. They don't protect anyone or provide a cure for AIDS and discrimination. But they are a gesture. Wearing a Red Ribbon is a visible sign of awareness. The ribbon can mean anything from "I'm Angry" to "I sympathise". It is symbolic of the spectrum of emotions that surrounds AIDS. The colour red is not only for blood, but for anger, passion, and love as well. The Red Ribbon is an inverted "V" because there has been no victory.

 

The Red Ribbon History

The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. The ribbon was developed in 1991 by a group of artists in New York called "Visual AIDS". The Ribbon was chosen to represent support for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. You can show your support for people affected by HIV/AIDS by buying and wearing a red ribbon on December 1, World AIDS Day, 2010.

The Red Ribbon is a simple and powerful way to show that you support people living with HIV/AIDS in Queensland and that you are supportive of 'talking about' HIV as a means of prevention.

Show you care. Contribute to the Red Ribbon Appeal here now.

 

Why we need your help

  • helping people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones cope better with the distress surrounding an HIV diagnosis
  • prevention and education campaigns to help keep HIV infection rates in Queensland among the lowest in the world
  • lending a hand to people with HIV/AIDS with everyday tasks they're just too ill to do, like making meals, housework and getting to and from hospital.

 

What you can do to help

Buy a Red Ribbon on December 1
Order a box to sell at work. Click here to order a Collection Box
Volunteer
Donate


Did you know? HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a virus which attacks the immune system and can lead to a series of symptoms known as AIDS, an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

"Globally, the pressure is on to make prevention of the spread of HIV the centre point of policy. Australia has lessons to teach. But we must learn not to drop our vigilance. Until a vaccine and a cure appear, education, condoms and protection from discrimination remain the best strategy. "

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
Member of the UNDP Global Commission on HIV and the Law.

"Over the past three decades we have made significant gains in the fight against HIV in a relatively short period of time. Undeterred by its challenges, we have continued to tighten our control of HIV and diminish it from being a certain terminal illness into a chronically manageable one for a majority of Australians. It is important for us to take some time to celebrate the progress we have made and commemorate all those we have lost in fight, for this battle has cost us dearly. However, despite our achievements thus far, HIV is still here. Have we been able to render HIV curable? No, we have not. Can we afford to become complacent and loosen our grip on this insidious virus? No, we must not.

It is still important for everyone to talk with your family and friends about HIV.It is still important to talk about not contracting and not transmitting HIV.It is still important to talk about HIV testing and still important for everyone to know your HIV status so that HIV has nowhere to hide.It is still important to talk about all these things because through our conversations, we maintain our determination to fight HIV and reject stigma and discrimination. HIV is still here. The choice is yours. What will you choose to do?"

Queensland Positive People General Manager, Simon O’Connor