Matthew Hodson represents one of Britain's most influential voices in HIV and LGBTQ+ activism, having lived openly and "shamelessly" with HIV for nearly three decades.

His journey began in the 1980s when coming out coincided with the emergence of AIDS, leading him to frontline activism against Section 28 and homophobic legislation. After avoiding testing for years due to fear and the lack of effective treatment, Matthew received his HIV diagnosis in 1997, just as combination therapy was revolutionising care. His transformation from someone carrying HIV as a shameful secret to becoming a leading advocate illustrates the power of visibility and self-acceptance.

As Chief Executive of Gay Men Fighting AIDS, Matthew championed honest conversations about viral load and treatment as prevention, challenging the "condoms only" orthodoxy years before U=U became accepted science. His landmark achievement as the first openly HIV-positive chair of a major AIDS conference in 2021 represents both personal triumph and overdue recognition that "nothing about us without us" should include leadership roles.

Matthew's story demonstrates how activism can transform not just society, but the activist themselves.

Timestamped Takeaways

03:12 - Early sexual awakening: "I took myself off to Heaven... and rid myself of my gay virginity."

04:13 - First AIDS documentary: "I sat down there... watch this documentary called The Killer in the Village... this is so far confined to gay men, particularly in America."

04:48 - Mother's reaction to coming out: "The first thing she said to me was, well, I expect you'll get AIDS and die then."

06:13 - Section 28 catalyst: "Section 28... I felt like I was forced out of the closet by Section 28."

07:43 - Peak homophobia: "The peak of homophobia was 1986, 1987... 75% of people believing that homosexuality was always or almost always wrong."

09:07 - Direct action: "We went down Fleet Street with pink paint and daubed pink triangles everywhere."

10:53 - Manchester march significance: "That was the largest ever gay rights protest gathering anywhere in the world."

12:13 - Avoiding testing: "I thought if someone told me that I was HIV positive now, I think I would just kill myself."

15:45 - 1996 Vancouver conference: "Changed everything... we can treat HIV."

16:43 - Testing experience: "You meet the profile of someone who will test positive."

17:35 - Diagnosis moment: "You've got about 20 years to live... those words... echoed in my head for days and days."

18:53 - Limited time perspective: "You've got a limited period to get things done. Now, what do you want to do with these precious years?"

21:07 - HIV stigma analysis: "If HIV most affected white, cis, straight men... there never would have been any HIV stigma."

23:02 - Sex-positive messaging: "Gay sex. Good. We like it. We enjoy it."

25:44 - Viral load messaging: "That use a condom every time message hadn't worked."

29:19 - Living shamelessly: "All of my fear and shame, my self stigmatising, has been washed away."

32:28 - Going public: "I press send... it was like jumping off a high board... let's just make sure I enter the water with grace."

34:39 - Early disclosure strategy: "I will try and find a way to get my HIV status into that conversation really early on."

36:51 - U=U amazement: "The risk is zero... how wonderfully astonishing is that?"

38:10 - Reclaiming slurs: "Every time you take something that is used against you and you make it into your own armour, it loses its power to hurt you."

39:20 - Historic achievement: "It still took until 2021... the first openly HIV positive chair."

41:32 - Ageing privilege: "Ageing is a privilege... denied to many people living with HIV."

47:22 - Final message: "If there's a change in the world which you want to see, be a part of that creation."

Links:

• Other work from Producer Dan Hall.
• Positively UK - A peer-led organisation offering support and advice for people living with HIV, including women, youth, and migrants.
• The Love Tank - An organisation focusing on wellbeing of queer communities, especially Black and brown people, through projects like PrEPster and The Grass Is Always Grindr.
• Positive East - London-based support centre offering HIV testing, counselling, community outreach, and health services.
• PrEPster - Community-led PrEP (HIV prevention pill) education project. Offers clear and inclusive info for diverse audiences across the UK.
• National AIDS Trust - A UK policy and campaigning organisation dedicated to ending HIV stigma and promoting effective HIV policies.
• aidsmap - A trusted source for up-to-date, evidence-based information on HIV. Great for learning about treatment, living with HIV, and current research.
• Terrence Higgins Trust - The UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. Offers support, testing info, prevention resources (PrEP), and education materials.
• In the Key of Q - Podcast celebrating Queer musicians and their stories, also produced by Dan Hall.