It's a Sin: a nurse reflects on the Aids crisis of the 80s

Today in Focus Series

Channel 4/HBO Max’s new drama It’s a Sin, written by Russell T Davies, follows a group of friends living through the 1980s Aids crisis. Leigh Chislett worked as a HIV nurse at St Mary’s hospital in London during that period. Watching the show, he saw himself not just in the nurses caring for patients but also in the young gay men navigating their lives

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It’s a Sin, the Channel 4 and HBO Max drama written by Russell T Davies, follows the lives of five friends growing up in the shadow of Aids. The series has started conversations around Britain about the realities – political and personal – of living through the HIV/Aids crisis, has led to an increase in people getting tested for HIV, and has helped raise awareness about preventive medication and the effective treatment now available for people living with the virus.

Anushka Asthana talks to Leigh Chislett, a nurse who worked at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, London, on the HIV ward during the 1980s. He tells Anushka about living in London as a young gay man and the horrific impact Aids had on the gay community. But he says it also galvanised them to fight for greater rights.

Archive: Channel 4; HBO Max; BBC; ITN; ITV
Music: The Communards - For A Friend; Years & Years - It’s A Sin

To watch It’s A Sin, go to https://www.channel4.com/programmes/its-a-sin

It's a Sin (Channel 4)
Photograph: Ben Blackall/Channel 4 undefined
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