World First

This year, the first World AIDS Day Festival took place in Ireland, running from November 27 to December 1, 2025. Presented by the Poz Vibe Tribe in collaboration with GCN, Beatrice Fanucci takes a look back on how the festival raised awareness of the global fight against HIV and AIDS, while also celebrating the strength, resilience and diversity of people living with HIV in Ireland and beyond. Photos by Babs Daly.

At a time when funding cuts in several countries are causing what the UN has described as the “most serious setback in decades” in global HIV prevention efforts, it is more important than ever to remember and remind people of the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS. According to current projections, the funding cuts could result in 3.3 million new HIV infections over the next five years worldwide.

The World AIDS Day Festival aimed to shine a light on such challenges, while celebrating the resilience and commitment of people living with HIV. The community in Ireland came together for a series of events centering people living with HIV, blending remembrance, bold celebration and vital HIV awareness.

The festival kicked off with a Friends Remembering Friends, a remembrance event hosted by the Quilts Group at Saint Andrews Centre, which provided a poignant space to honour the lives of friends, family, and community members we have lost. It coincided with a special episode of the Poz Vibe Podcast featuring Catherine, Phyllis and Terri – the amazing women behind the Quilts Group.

On the same day, Poz Vibe Tribe launched a t-shirt in collaboration with queer-owned apparel shop The Grá and Irish drag artist Lavender. The new t-shirt centred the messaging U=U, standing for ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’, a global campaign that raises awareness about how someone who is on effective HIV treatment has an undetectable viral load and therefore cannot transmit the virus to a sexual partner.

The following day, beloved nail salon Tropical Popical hosted a HIV Awareness Hub geared towards women. Following the pop-up, the Strike a Poz event brought the community to one of Dublin’s most iconic queer venues, The George, for a special live photoshoot. Photographer extraordinaire Babs Daly captured moments of confidence and celebration which people can admire in this magazine. The event was hosted by a special HIVIP, Irish drag queen Regina George, and the amazing DJ Karen provided the musical background to the photoshoot.

The wonderful duo behind P.Shirts, Ciaran and Luis, hosted a second HIV Awareness Hub and a special market on Saturday. Taking over the Queer Hawk location in Liffey Street, the event aimed to fight stigma and uplift the community of people living with HIV in Ireland.

On the same day, Queen of Ireland Panti Bliss hosted the special 99 Red Balloons event in Pennylane, a one-of-a-kind night to dive deep into the queer pop of the 80s and 90s. With legendary DJ Dizzy, the night provided an opportunity for the community to dance together to the showstopping music of those years.

The festival also moved to Lost Lane, where Mother hosted a spectacular celebration of all the Poz People in our community, with a very special guest. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star and HIVIP Charity Kase.

On Sunday, the beloved Sunday night Bingo at The George, hosted by the incredible Shirley Temple Bar with the mother of Poz Vibe Tribe, Veda, featured another special HIVIP guest: Belfast drag queen Tailor Maid Colby.

Finally, to mark World AIDS Day on December 1, Poz Vibe Tribe and GCN, in partnership with Trinity’s LGBT+ Staff Network, presented one of the cornerstones of the festival, an event dedicated to spotlighting the experiences of queer migrants living with HIV in Ireland. Participants were treated to the premiere of Out of Shadows, a poignant short film by filmmaker Pradeep Mahadeshwar. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Poz Vibe podcast hosts Veda and Robbie Lawlor and the film’s director and cast. To mark the occasion, Trinity College also lit the front of its historic buildings red in a powerful display of solidarity and support.

After the film screening, participants headed to Street 66 for the afterparty and final event of the festival, where moviegoers were treated to special themed cocktails on arrival and music by the talented DJ Manwelli.

Speaking after the festival’s success, Poz Vibe Tribe mother and organiser Veda said: “The idea behind the festival was to have lateral collaborations with community organisations, small businesses, queer spaces, queer artists and, of course, our partners GCN.

“In the past, we had focused on having one or two big events for World AIDS Day, but it occurred to me that having many different types of events all over the city would be the most productive way to raise awareness and promote the U = U message to a much wider audience.

“The jewel in the crown of the festival was definitely the film premiere in Trinity College on World AIDS Day. Out of Shadows is such a beautiful film and it’s a great honour to support and to work with these incredible artists from our Tribe.”

GCN’s Managing Editor Stefano Pappalardo said: “It was an honour and privilege to partner with Poz Vibe Tribe for the very first World AIDS Day Festival. Despite the progress, stigma and silence still often overshadow the lives of people living with HIV. We hope that the festival sparked more open conversations and helped challenge prejudice against people living with HIV.

“A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring the festival to life, from our wonderful partners at Poz Vibe Tribe, sponsors, collaborators and every single person who joined us. You made this inaugural festival truly special.”

The festival was made possible by our kind sponsors Man2Man and the Boiler House. A big thank you also goes to our supporters: Gay Health Network, Dublin Pride, Mother, Outhouse, Pantibar, Pennylane, P.Shirts, Queer Hawk, Queer Spectrum Film Festival, Saint Andrew’s, Street 66, The George, Trinity College and Tropical Popical.