When I was diagnosed with HIV, aged 30, I was told I could expect to live for another 20 years. Today I turn 59. HIV treatment works. Science saves lives. Tell everyone.
Matthew Hodson
@matthewhodson.bsky.social
Shamelessly HIV+ actor, writer, public speaker based in London. Former CEO of aidsmap and Gay Men Fighting AIDS. He/him. 🏳️🌈🇪🇺🌍🌱
Is it Rowling to rhyme with howling or Rowling to rhyme with trolling? Either way, remember, trans lives are more important than Harry Potter.
“At a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack, a diverse, dynamic and proudly progressive city like ours cannot just sit on the sidelines. We must step up and lead — championing the values of freedom, equality and inclusivity that define our capital city.” - London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
Sadiq Khan: 'We’ve come a long way — WorldPride in London would take us even further'
The Mayor of London on why he is backing the bid to host WorldPride in 2032
standard.co.uk
It’s almost 20 years since I took part in Jaime Sylla’s groundbreaking documentary about gay men and HIV, No Magic Bullet. Here’s a younger, skinnier and less secure version of me challenging the fear that then (and still) surrounds HIV.
You should hang your heads in shame for producing guidance which is practically unworkable, intrusive and discriminatory, which does nothing to improve the safety of cis women, while making the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people considerably less comfortable and potentially dangerous.
Trump’s cuts to international HIV funding has hit services meeting the needs of gay and bi men, trans people, sex workers and drug users the hardest, with almost 3 out of 4 services closing. Ideology is standing in the way of science and the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. #AIDS2026
PEPFAR cuts close key population services and accelerate decline in children's HIV treatment
Cuts in US overseas funding for HIV treatment and prevention have led to widespread closure of community-based services and services for key populations, according to a survey of organisations that ha...
aidsmap.com
I do not believe that the EHRC guidance will stand, its inherent flaws and contradictions will not survive practical attempts to implement it. And people (both cis and trans) will be less safe as a result of it. The @goodlawproject.org will bring a legal challenge and they deserve support.
Jess O'Thomson@jessothomson.co.uk · 4d ago🚨 BREAKING We are supporting a legal challenge to the Code of Practice. And we need your help. Join us in fighting back 👇
With my @queertheatreuk.bsky.social chum David Watters after his brilliant performance in The Lads, playing at the Hen and Chickens in Islington as part of the Camden Fringe Festival.
Let’s hear it for these brave straight men, forging a pathway for heteros in the most rigidly homosexual of working environments.
The Advocate@advocate.com · 4d agoThese heterosexual actors have made names for themselves on the gayest stage in the world.
And exactly as I expected. A few hours on and the story is nowhere on the BBC website. Had Reform won it it would still be the top story.
Mark Thompson@markreckons.bsky.social · last wk.Can you imagine how much of a story it would have been if Reform had won the Manchester mayoral contest. And for a while it looked not only possible but in some ways probable looking at the polls a few months back. And yet they were trounced. They got nowhere near. That should be a big story.
“You lie, people die, restore PEPFAR now.” AIDS activists protest Trump’s funding cuts at the International AIDS Conference. These cuts are reversing the recent progress made in reducing AIDS deaths and new HIV infections globally. #AIDS2026
New US HIV agreements leave civil society and key populations on the sidelines
The United States is “changing the model, not the mission” of its global HIV programmes, Jeff Graham, acting US Global AIDS Coordinator, told a pre-conference session organised by the US government at...
aidsmap.com
Alternative first line HIV treatment leads to less weight gain than the standard - but has a higher risk of developing drug resistance, South African trial finds. #AIDS2026
Alternative first-line HIV regimen limits excess weight gain
Starting treatment with a regimen containing doravirine and tenofovir disoproxil (TDF) resulted in less weight gain than starting treatment with a regimen containing dolutegravir and tenofovir alafenamide, a South African study reported yesterday week at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
aidsmap.com
How old do you think you look? I’ve watched my face and body as it changes over the years. I’ve tried to take care of myself but the goal is to feel well (physically and emotionally) not to look ‘young’. So I think I look my 58 years and I’m ok with that. Pic: me at Trans Pride last week.
@aidsmap.bsky.social version of my #AIDS2026 cure report. As Matthew notes, each of these cases provides new clues, but stem cell transplantation is far from feasible for people with HIV who don't also have life-threatening cancer.
Matthew Hodson@matthewhodson.bsky.social · last wk.Two new cases of people ‘cured’ of HIV following stem cell transplants to treat cancer, bringing the total cured this way to 13. Note well: this is a dangerous and arduous treatment which can not be scaled up to treat all cases of HIV - although each new case provides more insight. #AIDS2026
Two new cases of people ‘cured’ of HIV following stem cell transplants to treat cancer, bringing the total cured this way to 13. Note well: this is a dangerous and arduous treatment which can not be scaled up to treat all cases of HIV - although each new case provides more insight. #AIDS2026
Two more people cured of HIV after stem cell transplants, offering more clues to long-term remission
Two more people appear to be free of HIV after stem cell transplants for cancer treatment, according to case presentations this week at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio d...
aidsmap.com
The aspirationally named One Million Mothers campaign group tries to stir up anger against @michellevisage.bsky.social’s injectable PrEP ad for ‘prompting discussions of homosexuality’ - even though the ad doesn’t mention HIV, sex or LGBTQ people. Ridiculous!
What if "a child" sees it? Conservative Christians rage over ad about HIV prevention - LGBTQ Nation
The ad doesn't even mention HIV, sex, or LGBTQ+ people. But Michelle Visage appears in it.
lgbtqnation.com
New single pill once per week HIV treatment effective in trials. More treatment options reduce barriers to adherence. #AIDS2026
Once-weekly islatravir / lenacapavir combination pill maintains HIV viral suppression
A once-weekly single-tablet regimen containing islatravir and lenacapavir maintained viral suppression in people with HIV who switched from standard daily oral treatment, according to a pair of studie...
aidsmap.com
Happy birthday to Kate Bush, the Holy Ghost of my musical Trinity. A new album would be nice, please and thank you.
Playing forbidden lovers in a scene from Noel Coward’s Still Life (aka Brief Encounter). Fully embracing the gay subtext of Coward’s play worked beautifully. There should be a full production. With Gopala Davis at the @queertheatreuk.bsky.social Outcast showcase.
Without access to drinkable water people with HIV may struggle to take medication, stay hydrated and prevent infections - all with implications for HIV treatment outcomes. Ending AIDS deaths requires more than just medication. #AIDS2026 www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-202...
Water insecurity nearly quadruples odds of poor HIV outcomes, while hunger and partner violence compound risk in East Africa
Adults on HIV treatment in western Kenya who are experiencing water insecurity have nearly four times the odds of poor treatment outcomes, regardless of gender, researchers reported at the 26th Intern...
aidsmap.com
I’m pleased to report that the 2 Brewers has effective aircon for tonight’s @queertheatreuk.bsky.social showcase. There’s a few tickets left, let’s make it a full house! www.queertheatre.co.uk/whats-on/out...
A revolutionary once-monthly PrEP pill could be manufactured and sold profitably for around $3 per person per year, making it the cheapest HIV prevention drug ever. But Latin American countries, including some which took part in the drug trials, will be denied access. #AIDS2026
Monthly PrEP pill could be made for US$3 a year, but Latin America is shut out of generic licensing
Merck's investigational once-monthly PrEP pill could be manufactured and sold profitably for around $3 per person per year, making it the cheapest HIV prevention drug ever brought to market, the 26th ...
aidsmap.com
“I’m not trans. I’m not as brave as my trans friends. They have followed a path that few would choose. They do so not because of a whim but because not to do so would be to deny something that is so fundamental to them that it would mean living a lie. “ From @matthewhodson.bsky.social
Unison, Aslef, Usdaw, and the Musicians’ Union will not attend the Labour Women’s Conference over the decision to ban trans women from formal proceedings at the event. This is what solidarity looks like! 💜
Powerful unions boycott Labour Women's Conference over trans ban
metro.co.uk
At the London vigil honouring the victims of the attack on Berlin’s Christopher Street Parade. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, leads the crowd in a literal clapback against a heckler. We will not be afraid. We will not be silenced. We are proud, defiant and united against hate.
Tonight: Vigil for Berlin Pride at Soho Square, London.
