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Dr Naomi Sutton becomes ambassador for Birmingham’s HIV/AIDS Memorial
During Birmingham Pride 2021, the Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial (BAHM) team took part in the parade that marched through the streets of Birmingham, while on the main stage of the event, artist Garry Jones was joined by Dr Naomi Sutton to mark their official launch.
Dr Sutton is a health consultant who has featured on TV’s The Sex Clinic, and has recently joined the BAHM team as an ambassador. She explained: “I wholeheartedly support the erection of this beautiful memorial. It will act as a poignant reminder of the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic, and also spark conversations about what it means to live with HIV today. Sadly, there’s still too much ignorance and stigma surrounding this virus, but I believe that through education and conversation this can this be corrected. The visual impact of this memorial is strong, bold and non-apologetic and symbolises love and hope for the future.”
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Joining Dr Sutton as ambassadors are: Birmingham City Council leader Councillor Ian Ward, Lord Michael Cashman MBE, and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands.
The campaign has also gained support from Birmingham City Council, the Public Art Gateway Group, Southside BID, numerous LGBTQ+ key figures, and other businesses. Plus, BAHM has partnered with Saving Lives, an HIV charity founded by Dr Steve Taylor.
The BAHM has officially been granted planning permission for the site at the top of Hurst Street – as part of the regeneration of Hippodrome Square – at the entrance to the Gay Village. The team have raised (at the time of writing) £17,500 of their £160,000 target to make this project happen, so now attention will be focused on the continuous fundraising and applications for grants.
They are holding a vigil for World AIDS Day at the top of Hurst Street from 6pm on Wednesday, December 1, followed by a fundraising Red Ball at the Holiday Inn BCEC, Smallbrook Queensway. Tickets £45 include threecourse dinner and coffee, plus cabaret, and are available to buy online: www. Bahm.co.uk/red-ball.
