Meet Philip Normal, The UK’s First Openly HIV-Positive Mayor
LGBT+ businessman Philip Normal is reported to be the first openly HIV-Positive mayor in the U.K. after he was officially appointed Mayor of Lambeth via video conference last week.
“I’ve spoken before about my HIV status, and it has been suggested that I’m the first openly positive mayor in the country,” Normal said in his acceptance speech. “I don’t know if this is true, but if it is, it is something none of us should feel pride in. Rather it highlights the shame and stigma that has been associated with HIV for far too long.
“I moved to Lambeth eight years ago and it is one of the best places in London to live, work, and visit, with diverse and resilient communities, with each of our town centers having its unique character and history,” Normal continued. He also noted that Lambeth is the “borough with the highest proportion of LGBTQ+ residents in the entire country.”
As ‘Out’ reports, Normal’s speech was dedicated to his chosen charity, the Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports homeless and at-risk LGBT+ teens and frontline workers.
“It recognizes Lambeth’s queer history and the fact that we are the borough with the highest proportion of LGBTQ+ residents in the entire country,” he said. “The Albert Kennedy Trust, founded in 1989, helps young LGBTQ+ people with housing issues, develop life skills, find emergency accommodation, stay safe in a crisis, and access specialist support.”
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