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The red ribbon has become an internationally recognized
symbol for AIDS awareness, worn by people throughout
the year in support of people living with HIV and in
remembrance of those who have died. On 1 December this
year, people around the world will be pinning on their
red ribbons as they commemorate World AIDS Day. But
where did the ribbon come from?
In 1988, a group called Visual AIDS was founded by
arts professionals as a response to the effects of AIDS
on the arts community and as a way of organizing artists,
arts institutions, and arts audiences towards direct
action on AIDS.
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| Three years later, in 1991, some of the
Visual AIDS artists came together to design a visual symbol
to demonstrate compassion for people living with HIV and their
care givers. Inspired by the yellow ribbons honoring American
soldiers serving in the Gulf war, the artists chose to create
a red ribbon to symbolize support and solidarity for people
living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related
illnesses. The color red was chosen for its, "connection to
blood and the idea of passion -- not only anger, but love, like
a valentine," the Project founders say. The project was to become
known as the Red Ribbon Project. |
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| In a spontaneous campaign in 1991, Red
Ribbon Project volunteers sent letters and red ribbons to all
attendees at the Tony Awards in the United States where actor
Jeremy Irons stepped out on national television with a red ribbon
pinned prominently on his lapel. |
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| The symbol came to Europe on a mass scale
on Easter Monday in 1992, when more than 100,000 red ribbons
were distributed during the Freddie Mercury AIDS Awareness Tribute
Concert at Wembley stadium. More than one billion people in
more than 70 countries worldwide watched the show on television.
Throughout the nineties many celebrities wore red ribbons, encouraged
by Princess Diana's high profile support for AIDS. |
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| "The fact that it was so widely imitated
was amazing. We couldn't believe it," said Allan Frame, one
of the Visual AIDS artists involved in the creation of the red
ribbon symbol. |
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| Today the Red Ribbon has become an international
symbol of solidarity and support for people living with HIV.
Wearing a red ribbon is a simple and powerful way to challenge
the stigma and prejudice surrounding AIDS. |
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The Double Red Ribbon symbolizes the partnership between
the Malaysian AIDS Council and Foundation in challenging
the issues of HIV/AIDS in Malaysia.
The heart shape formed in the centre symbolizes care,
love and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Wear
it on your heart with pride.
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