Marc Thompson

In 2024, nearly 1,000 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the capital, a significant proportion of whom were Black women. To create awareness and encourage testing, the Do It London Glam Squad popped up across London in April 2026 - bringing beauty, wellbeing, and relaxed health conversations together in spaces primarily for women of African heritage VoxAfrica was at one of the pop-ups in Morley’s Department store in Brixton, where attendees enjoyed free nail care, makeup, and styling consultations. #GlamSquad #HIV #HIVTesting #uequalsu #DoItldn

The Glasshouse Conversations EP.1 🌻🌞🪴 The Greenhouse Sessions with @marct_01 A intimate slow, easy morning sowing cosmos and sunflowers. A gay family moment beside the greenhouse. Talking about cut flowers that evoke certain memories and emotions, and touching on our shared love of music and queer culture. 🪩 #cosmos #greenhouse #sunflower #gardening #cutflowers

OUR JUDGES! We have searched high and low for THE most professional dog lovers in the whole of Herne Hill. These guys will be there with their clipboards to see who’s tail can wag the most, which oldie has still got it, and whether any of the can pups actually make it round the ring without getting distracted by the jerk chicken stall - hmmm didn’t think this through… #brockwellbark #brockwellpark #dogshow

In the 1980s, many Black Queer Londoners didn't feel welcome on the mainstream gay scene. Find out why from @marct_01

“The shame isn’t mine.” Marc Thompson was diagnosed with HIV at 17, in a Britain shaped not only by stigma, but by Section 28, institutional racism and a state that, for many, was never designed to protect them. What he describes here forces a more uncomfortable question. Not simply how individuals cope, but how systems decide whose lives are valued, whose care is prioritised, and whose suffering is normalised. HIV, in this context, cannot be understood in isolation. It sits alongside policing, race and power — and within a wider architecture that continues to shape who gets to feel safe, seen and supported. The full conversation is now live on themepark.eco #HIV #HIVAwareness #BlackQueerLives #QueerPolitics #MarcThompson

“You have to do something with this.” Marc Thompson was diagnosed with HIV at 17 in 1980s Britain, at the height of stigma and Section 28. In this moment he describes the turning point when anger became purpose — and the beginning of a lifetime of activism for Black gay men in the UK. A story about how personal rupture becomes political action. Full interview live Wednesday 18 March. themepark.eco #HIVHistory #BlackQueerHistory #Activism #QueerHistory #ThemeparkTalks

Thinking of the intersection of LGBTQ History Month and Black History Month (US) the story of Blackliners and Arnold Gordon comes to mind. At the height of the HIV epidemic, when white mainstream organisations were all but ignoring the needs of Black gay men. Arnold Gordon, along with Alan Walrond and Dawn Hill got together and created the first organisation in the UK to attend to HIV prevention and support needs of Black communities. They set the template for the work I continue today. Big respect to my elders.

Great to go on @bbclondon Radio to talk about “Skin Like Mine” the new community focused HIV prevention program by & for Black Londoners delivered by @onevoicenetwor2 & funded by @doitldn . @susancolehaley representing One Voice Network, and @marct_01 Lead Commissioner of London’s HIV Prevention Program, joined @shaykaurgrewal highlighting how this programme represents a real shift in how HIV prevention is being delivered in London. By centring Black voices & Black-led organisations, we’re building something that will genuinely reach people, reduce inequalities and improve lives. We’ll be at pop up events across London, so keep an eye out! #SkinLikeMine #hivprevention #BlackHealthMatters

Hey Insta family (and my new followers) It’s been a wild week. I’ve had plenty of time to reflect, from reminiscing about my younger days on @amaabf podcast (thanks for having me boys), looking to the future with the new HIV Action Plan and celebrating a personal milestone of 39 years since my diagnosis. You might have heard as a young Black gay man, I found few places where I felt fully comfortable and at home with all the intersections of my identity. There were few places where I felt my whole self was represented, welcomed and reflected back to me. As a Black gay man living with HIV, I found much of the established HIV infrastructure was geared almost exclusively towards a much whiter audience. So a lot of my formative years of work were spent trying to create the kind of environments my younger self needed and wanted. That’s why this last year has been such a delight. I’m now Lead Commissioner of @doitldn , the London HIV Prevention Programme. And that means every day I get to scheme about how to the Do It London campaign can be a welcoming, trusted place for Black Londoners, for queer Londoners, for Black queer Londoners, for all Londoners. So whether that’s collaborating with nail salons to bring testing to Black women, explaining why it’s important we get “Horny but very responsible” approved as messaging for a health campaign, or commissioning a London wide HIV outreach programme for Black folk, I get to make sure that people like the young man I was are firmly centered in this unique campaign supported by all London boroughs. So, thanks for being along for the ride – you’re welcome here. And yes, I still work it 😉

Going through Marc’s younger days🩵🧡 Have you watched the full episode yet?🎧

World AIDS Day🧡🩵 We sit down with Marc Thompson, HIV activist, community leader and one of the most vital voices in Black queer British history. From coming out in 80s Brixton to being diagnosed at 17 at the height of the epidemic, Marc shares raw truths on stigma, survival, joy and community. We dive into racism in clubs, fetishisation, homophobia, misinformation, and the early Black gay organising that saved lives. His story is living history and a reminder that HIV stigma still exists and the work isn’t done. Marc’s wisdom, humour and resilience make this one of our most important episodes yet. Watch/ Listen on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify🎧✨

In our latest episode of Black Perspectives, Marc Thompson, HIV activist and Lead Commissioner of London's HIV prevention program, Do It London, shares his one wish in life - finding more compassion and love with each other. ❤️⁠ ⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube - link in bio. ⁠