Professor Damien Ridge for The Psychologist about Channel 4 series It’s A Sin and remembering the HIV epidemic

In the article, Professor Ridge and Dr Catalan wrote about Russell T. Davies’ five-part series It’s A Sin, which follows the first ten years of the HIV epidemic in the UK. Talking about the series, they wrote: “It is the ordinariness of these young people’s lives that makes them so striking: there are no heroes, no successful activists, celebrities or scientists, just people – initially somewhat self-absorbed – trying to make sense of a life that becomes increasingly more complicated as the episodes progress.”

They also discussed the correlations with their new research, they wrote: “As we argue in our new book HIV in the UK: Voices from the Epidemic, it was along with allies like the wonderful Jill in the series, that gradually this world began to change for the better. While initially allies were thin on the ground and ignorance and collective lack of humanity ushered in the beginning of the epidemic, powerful stories emerged about the involvement of the affected communities.”

Discussing the correlations with the COVID-19 pandemic, they added: “Themes familiar to us now in our COVID world are clearly visible: myths about the origins of the mystery disease; the void created by lack of information and confusing messages filled with misinformation; political incompetence; stigmatisation; initially unprepared health services; uncertainty about treatments; and guilt and shame, amongst many others.

“But most powerfully, horror at the unexpected and unwanted death of people at what should be the very start of their lives. For a death-denying society, these obscene and unnecessary deaths provoked powerful responses, not just of sadness and grief, but also of determination to fight for justice against discrimination and for the well-being of all people affected as well as their families.”

Read the full article on The Psychologist website.