1 mins
AWARD RECIPIENT
Bill Foley
Activist Bill Foley received the Noel Walsh HIV Activism award at The GALAS for his role at the heart of Ireland’s HIV activism for over four decades. As a founding member of Gay Health Action (GHA) in the early 1980s, Ireland’s first HIV organisation, Foley was part of the first wave of community-led response to the epidemic here, before government support or public understanding even existed. His work with GHA laid the foundation for decades of HIV education and advocacy that would follow. In accepting the award, Foley’s longtime friend Karl Hayden read a few words from the activist: “We have come a long way since HIV first raised its ugly head, but we need to fight to ensure we reach the ‘no more new HIV cases’ goal by 2030.”
NOMINEES
Dr Erin Nugent
Working at the forefront of HIV and AIDS activism for over 40 years, Dr Erin Nugent has supported hundreds of people living with HIV in Ireland. With many years of experience in the sector, Nugent has contributed to combating stigma and disinformation.
Poz Vibe Tribe
Founded by Robbie Lawlor and Veda Lady, the talented duo behind the popular podcast, Poz Vibe Tribe launched as a social enterprise earlier this year. Praised for its outstanding work in fighting stigma against people living with HIV, the Poz Vibe Tribe also works on promoting access to treatment and prevention tools for HIV and other STIs, in close collaboration with the HSE and other stakeholders.
Rebecca Tallon de Havilland
Having undergone gender-affirming surgery in 1991, Irish trans activist Rebecca Tallon De Havilland has done extraordinary work in HIV activism by sharing her own first-hand experiences. Through campaigning and working professionally and voluntarily with charities and organisations in England and Ireland, Tallon de Havilland has become a leading voice in the movement.
By Beatrice Fanucci