"Day by day by ACT-UP - a great way to connect with and learn about our activist histories" Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
Aids Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) activists proudly share the incredible history of HIV and AIDS in a powerful new pin-up calendar that charts UK HIV history for the first time. A groundbreaking public health coalition of over thirty leading public health institutions, hospitals, trade unions, charities, NGO’s and protest movements have partnered with ACT UP for the calendar.
How your donation will help
So that we can raise as much money for our chosen charities as possible we are launching this crowdfunder and early sales to raise £5000 to pay for the printing costs before the calendar launch.
What is the 'ACT UP PIN UP' Calendar?
The calendar includes a timeline of vital, epic and world-changing moments in public health and HIV / 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.
So that we can raise as much money for the first public launch on 25th September at Positive East we would like to sell as many calendars and generate support here over the next two weeks. All profits will go to Positive East, Positively UK and Albert Kennedy Trust.
Why is the 'ACT UP Pin Up' Calendar important?
“As we look to the future, and work towards the goal of ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030, it is so important to remember and acknowledge the history of our movement and all of the people and key events that have brought us to where we are today. And the ACT UP Pin Up 2025 calendar will also provide inspiration and motivation for everyone who is involved in the ongoing fight against discrimination and for equal rights for everyone living with HIV.” Robbie Currie, CEO of National AIDS Trust
About ‘Aids Coalition to Unleash Power’
Aids Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the HIV pandemic, along with the broader inequalities and injustices that perpetuate it. Remembering that HIV & AIDS is foremost a political crisis, as well as a medical emergency, we will use every means possible to call out and contain this pandemic. We will never be silent. ACT UP! FIGHT BACK! FIGHT AIDS! Until there is healthcare for all.
What we have achieved
Since we reformed the London ACT UP Chapter in 2014 we have helped lead life-saving and intersectional campaigns, protests and performances that have have included campaigning for access to PrEP, coalition building to protect the NHS and for pharmaceutical companies to lower the price of drugs and right now focusing on access to Lenacapavir - the ‘closest thing we have to an HIV vaccine’. This has led to a monumental and historic success of the lowering of diagnosis in London (amongst certain demographics). Through catalysing the 'Fund Healthcare Not Warfare', 'Docs Not Cops - Patients Not Passports,' 'Fight AIDS Not Migrants' and the women-led 'Catwalk for Power, Resistance and Hope' coalitions alongside our World AIDS Day show 'HIV Blind Date' (this year it's Trans healthcare special) and protests against HIV bigots such as Nigel Farage - we have supported our community and a new generation of HIV activists to continue the journey for healthcare for all.
Read more here 'What ACT UP’s successes can teach today’s protest movements' by Sarah Schulman.
What you will get for your donations
The calendar - Early Birds - £12
Be one of the first to back the calendar for our crowdfunder launch night and get it for our exclusive only price of £12! It will be posted to you or available to collect at Positive East.
The calendar - Signed - £15
You will receive the calendar signed by editor-activist Dan Glass, your name in the credits on the ACT UP website (optional) and updates on the project.
The Calendar and ‘Queer Footprints - A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History’ Book - Signed - £30
ACT UP Patron - To support our HIV and healthcare activism at large and be credited as an ACT UP Patron on the website (optional) as well as receiving the calendar and book - £50
About ‘Queer Footprints’
Dedicated to ‘AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power’ (ACT UP) ‘Queer Footprints’ is a groundbreaking guide will take you through the city streets to uncover the scandalous, hilarious and empowering events of London's queerstory. Follow in the footprints of veteran activists, such as those who marched in London's first Pride parade in 1972 or witnessed the 1999 bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho.
“An incredibly powerful exploration of a London that has been deliberately hidden, by one of the most courageous and insightful activists we have” Owen Jones, author of 'Chavs'
Help spread the word
For all press and contribution enquiries please contact at [email protected] / @actup_london - all details at www.actuplondon.wordpress.com /
“This phenomenal calendar highlights many of the collective battles we have fought and won as an HIV activist community over the last decades, and it is a passionate call to action for the work that remains to be done. It’s a celebration of many awesome individuals who were, and continue to be, part of a collective that spans connected movements and geographies. It’s a reminder that stigma and discrimination and deep inequalities still impact our communities both in the UK and globally - and that we must continue to grieve together, to fight together and to celebrate together.” Kate Thomson, HIV activist and survivor since 1987
ACT UP Pin Up Calendar designer Matt Bonner is a graphic artist, designer, and social justice campaigner based in London. @mattbonner.uk / www.revoltdesign.uk
ACT UP Pin Up Calendar photographer Holly Buckle works across a wide range of media, including audio, installation, publication, photography, and textiles. @stickypicnic / www.hollybuckle.com
ACT UP Pin Up Calendar editor is dan glass who is an ACT UP healthcare and human rights activist, performer, presenter and writer. @danglassmincer and www.theglassishalffull.co.uk