PinnedMy World AIDS Day 2022A week on from World AIDS Day I’m reflecting on my busiest and most fulfilling one yet. — Earlier I had my annual consultation with my HIV consultant at the Royal Free — I’m so incredibly lucky that ‘my numbers’ are the least interesting part of my chats with him. In case you’re interested I’m still undetectable, of course thanks to universal access to treatment in the UK…World Aids Day4 min readWorld Aids Day4 min read
Published in Middlesex University LGBT+ Network·PinnedMember-onlyIt’s a Sin: it’s not my story, but at last my history is on screenMiddlesex University LGBT+ Network co-chair Ant Babajee has been living with HIV since 2007 — and never faced the virus when no treatment was available. He reflects on how Queer as Folk and now It’s a Sin tell unforgettable gay stories from a uniquely British perspective, but that so much of our LGBT+ history still begs to be unashamedly told. — I so wish I could have met Mark. I would have given him a big hug and thanked him for all he did for our community.Its A Sin8 min readIts A Sin8 min read
PinnedMy 14th annHIVersary: a day for hope, not sadnessSaturday 2 January 2021 is my 14th annHIVersary — the day in 2007 I received my HIV-positive diagnosis. — It is certainly not a day for personal sadness. I think of it as a bittersweet anniversary: I’ve learned so much since that day — about the virus and treatment, as well as about myself and others. I’ve met so many amazing and brilliant people who have helped me to…HIV4 min readHIV4 min read
PinnedNothing about us without us: why it’s vital we amplify the voices of people with HIV on World AIDS DayFormer BBC journalist Ant Babajee has been living with HIV since 2007. Now working in digital marketing and studying for a master’s in public health at Middlesex University, he calls for a national framework and funding for peer support and empowerment for people with the virus to tackle the epidemic of loneliness and isolation. — Living with HIV can be lonely. But I’ve been on a journey over the past decade. When I received my HIV-positive diagnosis back in 2007, I was working as a journalist for the BBC in rural Somerset where I grew up. Back then I knew just one other person living…HIV8 min readHIV8 min read
Published in Middlesex University LGBT+ Network·PinnedThe Undetectables: U=U, PrEP and a decade with HIVOn 2 January 2020, I celebrated my 13th annHIVersary — the day I received my HIV-positive diagnosis 13 years ago. For World AIDS Day 2019, I gave the following interview to GMFA to accompany my photos in The Undetectables issue of FS magazine. I reflect on how living with the virus has changed and how everyone can be an HIV activist. — Name: Ant Babajee Age: 41 Occupation: CRM Manager and MSc Applied Public Health studentHIV11 min readHIV11 min read
Published in Middlesex University LGBT+ Network·Feb 11, 2022Member-onlyLGBT+ History Month, National HIV Testing Week, Middlesex and meFriday 11 February 2022 is my 44th birthday, and it’s also National HIV Testing Week and LGBT+ History Month. On this special day for me, I would like to share my thoughts on how we can create happier and healthier communities. — What are the things you enjoy most in your role and working at Middlesex? I love the diversity of our students and my colleagues at Middlesex. It is certainly never boring working here — and I don’t think we celebrate who we are nearly enough.Lgbt History Month11 min readLgbt History Month11 min read
Published in Middlesex University LGBT+ Network·Apr 3, 2020Member-onlyCOVID-19: physically distant but still connected to my LGBT+ communityCoronavirus is having an impact on every facet of our lives. For those of us who sit under the LGBT+ [Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans] rainbow umbrella and who are working from home, we are suddenly inviting colleagues into our homes every time we go online for a meeting. Even…Middlesex University8 min readMiddlesex University8 min read
Jan 2, 2019Baring all about HIV and U=UWednesday 2 January 2019 marks the 12th anniversary of my HIV diagnosis. In this interview to accompany the latest HIV Stripped Bare photo shoot, I reflect on what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in my first dozen years living with the virus. — This article features partial nudity and might not be suitable for viewing at work or in public places. About me Name: Ant Babajee Age: 40 Occupation: CRM Manager and student of MSc Applied Public Health Years living with HIV: About 12 — I was diagnosed in January 2007 Are you undetectable? Yes — and unashamedly so…HIV6 min readHIV6 min read
Published in Middlesex University LGBT+ Network·Mar 10, 2018The Inheritance is this generation’s Angels in AmericaI was blown away by the world premiere of Matthew Lopez’s two-part play about what it means to be a gay man living in 2018 — I feel a bit like protagonist Toby Darling in writing this — writing is not something that comes easily to me. But I had to write about this play. “Only sadists and agents go to first previews” I am pretty sure I’m not the latter, so maybe I am the former! Inspired by EM Forster’s novel Howards End…HIV4 min readHIV4 min read
Jan 6, 2018I have just found out I am HIV positive: what do I do now?I have been living with HIV for more than 10 years — you might say I am a bit of an HIV old-timer. As I have just celebrated another year living with HIV, I thought it was a good time to put together some pointers for people who have recently…HIV5 min readHIV5 min read
