Celebrating HIV Activism in Manchester and beyond 

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) PIN UP 2025 Manchester Calendar launch party- December 5th 4-8.30pm at George House Trust – providing HIV support, advice and advocacy services to improve health outcomes since 1985.

                                                        Celebrating HIV Activism in Manchester with Nathaniel Hall

                                                 Platforming the Positive Speakers Programme with Paul Fairweather

                                                            Uncovering iconic moments of social change in the city 

                                                                    Continuing the journey for healthcare for all

“Whenever the fight (either personal or political) get’s too much, I look at my ACT UP tattoos to remind me that action is the antidote to despair. And when I feel tired and like I’m not contributing enough, or when I feel like I’ve said the wrong thing, I remind myself of the mantra at the core of ACT UP – end AIDS by any means necessary. All contributions to the fight no matter how big or small, how mainstream or subversive are valid.” Nathaniel Hall, Theatre Maker, Actor and HIV activist (First Time, It’s A Sin)

The calendar includes a timeline of vital, epic and world-changing moments in public health and HIV and AIDS activism. Designed by Matt Bonner, photographed by Holly Buckle and edited by author-activist Dan Glass (2) the ‘ACT UP Pin-Ups London Calendar 2025’ features 12 beautiful portraits of 25 titans from the incredible HIV/AIDS activist movement, along with over 300 calendar entries paying homage to AIDS herstory. It includes near daily mentions of medical, media, protest and social movement advances which have pushed forward our collective journey for access to healthcare for all. All profits from the sales of this calendar will go to Positive East, Positively UK, Albert Kennedy Trust. This stands in the legacy of creative and inspiring Queer art activism such as ACT UP Gran Fury Collective. 

During the evening some of the activists in the calendar – including Nathaniel Hall and dan glass – will share how we can continue to ‘create healthcare utopias in the here and now’’ sharing stories and tips from their activism and imagineering what our future will look like when we have completed our mission of an end of to AIDS and provisions of healthcare for all.

“In my life in the 80s, 90s and after, I was honoured and also often distressed, to be a part of the last stages of life of friends, lovers, strangers and the public who came to the services offering care and support that I worked for. I’ve lost count. My mind often refuses to remember details of too many hundreds and more … I can only live on as part of that army of lovers. May my heart, head, hands, body and spirit be able to offer whatever contribution I can.” Miqx Kannemeyer, ACT UP February Pin Up

Huge thanks to everyone involved! Calendar design by @mattbonner.uk https://www.revoltdesign.uk/ and photos by @stickypicnic at www.hollybuckle.com

Accessibility – George House Trust is wheelchair accessible – see here 

Testimonials in Support. 

“…Shines a light on the huge role that activism has played over the years in advocating for and enabling access to rights and services to some of the most marginalised communities in the world.” Professor Kevin Fenton CBE PhD PrFPH FRCP FFSRH(Hon), President | Faculty of Public Health

“We have so much to learn from ACT UP about big tent politics and coalition work. I hope these daily reminders can inspire new innovations and ways to build the relationships that are at the center of progressive change.” Sarah Schulman, author of ‘The Gentrification of the Mind’ and ‘Let the Records Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993′

“We hope that this calendar will inspire future generations to continue the fight for equality and access to healthcare for all.” Miklos Kiss, Mildmay Hospital

Ticket link