The People First Charter was launched in July 2021, during the Berlin International AIDS Society Conference, to promote person first HIV & Sexual Health language. 

Language matters. People living with or at risk of HIV experience stigma & discrimination. The wrong language perpetuates stigma & marginalises people.

As the World Health Organisation states:

 "Positive, inclusive language creates new opportunities for advancement and collaboration, instead of exclusively focusing on ending existing problems".

Our language should match our goals: to ensure all people living with HIV or at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are supported to enjoy the highest attainable standards of health, as is their fundamental human right.  

 Ensure policy makers, researchers, conferences, journals, clinicians & allied care providers follow our clear  terminology guidelines & other examples of best practice through:
 

1. Continuously updating our terminology guidance 
2. Calling for materials related to HIV & STIs to use people first terminology 
3. Asking reviewers of scientific abstracts & papers to ensure appropriate terminology is used 
4. Seeking Charter endorsement from individuals & organisations involved in HIV/STI research & care 

 Further ahead we hope to collaborate with organisations beyond HIV & STIs to promote People First language throughout health care, science, & beyond! 

 Ultimately we hope all communities will use person first language, but first we must embed consistent use of appropriate terminology within our own sector. First our own field...then the world! 

Sign up to learn more about how to commit to the People First Charter & help us ensure promote the use of the right words in the right way.

If you are able to translate the guidance please get in touch!

If you hear or see language that is not people first, please encourage the use of People First terminology. Please correct people kindly & gently. We ALL get it wrong sometimes and it takes TIME to embed change.