BGF co-patron, Hamish Macdonald, shares his thoughts on World AIDS Day, its importance and why allyship still matters.
World AIDS Day is a moment of reflection – but also of responsibility. It asks us to consider not only how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go to ensure that people living with HIV are supported, respected and never forgotten.
As co-patron of Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the impact of grassroots care – the kind that meets people where they are, without judgement. BGF’s work is not just about service provision; it’s about dignity. It’s about walking alongside people through mental health challenges, financial hardship and the enduring weight of stigma.
“Today, around 30,000 people are living with HIV in Australia and behind each number is a person navigating their own personal challenges – stigma, financial hardship and other health-related issues. BGF supports more than 900 people each year through more than 25,000 interactions – from financial counselling and support with alcohol and other drugs to complex case management and health and wellbeing programs.”
These numbers tell a powerful story – but they also highlight the ongoing need for compassion, visibility and solidarity. And while medical advances have changed the landscape, stigma remains – and that is why allyship matters.
It is not the responsibility of people living with HIV to dismantle stigma. Those of us with a platform – no matter how big or small – have a responsibility to help shift the narrative.
I know what it’s like to be targeted for being myself and I’ve responded publicly because silence allows stigma to thrive. Visibility matters, but being an ally is also about showing up, consistently and without condition.
This World AIDS Day, I invite you to consider what being an ally looks like in your life. It might be a conversation, a listening ear or active participation. More than anything else, it should be choosing to stand with those who have often been marginalised.
That’s why I’m proud and honoured to stand with Bobby Goldsmith Foundation – because being an ally means showing up, speaking out and standing alongside those who’ve been left behind for too long.
To support BGF’s work this World AIDS Day, make a donation today. Your contribution helps ensure no one is left behind.
