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. 🏳️🌈🇪🇺🌍🌱
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 · 3h 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 · 4d agoCan 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 · 4d agoTwo 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.
It’s 59 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales so long as… You were in private accommodation There were only two of you (no threesomes or moresomes) Both of you were over the age of 21. NB Arrests for homosexual activity increased after the passing of this legislation.
Pennsylvania ends harsher penalties for those living with HIV, where, for example, longer sentences for prostitution were applied, irrespective of whether there any risk of transmission. While this should be welcomed, these stigmatising, scientifically illiterate laws remain in 26 US states.
Pennsylvania ends enhanced criminal penalties for people living with HIV - LGBTQ Nation
“Criminal penalties for living with HIV have never served an effective law enforcement purpose.”
lgbtqnation.com
I’m sorry I can’t come to the phone right now. Too busy blocking transphobes. 💜
I’m 58 years old. I’ve been living with #HIV for more than 28 years. For a long life with HIV: 💊Take your treatment 🚭Don’t smoke 🥦Eat healthily (drink moderately) 🏃🏼♂️Exercise 🕺Do things that bring you joy.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the homophobic attack at Berlin Pride yesterday. Know though that whatever is thrown at LGBTQ people, whether we are attacked, vilified or criminalised, we will persist. We have always been here. We will always be here.
It is not, it appears, in the government or media interest to report marches and protests that pass by entirely peacefully, an outpouring of support for an increasingly marginalised community. (Seems it's only news if some far-right thugs attack the police...)
Matthew Hodson@matthewhodson.bsky.social · last wk.An estimated 150,000 trans people and their allies showed up for Trans Pride in London yesterday. Phenomenal!
#TransPrideLondon Trans rights are under unprecedented attack right now, through the unworkable and cruel EHRC guidance, the removal of access to gender-affirmative care for many and a growing willingness to vilify trans and gender diverse people in both the mainstream and social media.
Man drinking Carlsberg on the tube (not his first, apparently) just read my sign and gave me a big thumbs up! 👍 🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵 #TransPride
I’ll be marching at Trans Pride in London today. Say hello if you see me. 🏳️⚧️💜🏳️⚧️🩵🏳️⚧️ #TransRightsAreHumanRights
