Three openly HIV-positive candidates lose out on Parliamentary seats

Two Liberal Democrat and one Green Party candidates who all revealed that they are HIV-positive lost out in last night’s election.

Lib Dems Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett and Paul Childs and Green Party candidate David Kirwan all failed to be elected to their seats.

Vauxhall Lib Dem candidate 36-year-old Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett, said in an interview with Buzzfeed News last month that he suffered years of bullying and two suicide attempts.

He said he was “looking for it”, when he had unprotected sex with men, and was almost certain which partner infected him with HIV.

Katy Hoey retained the seat for Labour with 53% of the vote.

Mr Hyyrylainen-Trett was followed weeks later by another Lib Dem, candidate for Liverpool Riverside Paul Childs – who has revealed he is also HIV positive.

Mr Childs said that he was diagnosed following a routine test in 2011, after embarking on a relationship with a new partner.

He lost out to Labour’s Louise Ellman who gained 67% of the vote.

Green candidate for Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire, Mr Kirwan, said he wanted to end the “secrecy and stigma” faced by those living with HIV.

He also became the first to announce that he was diagnosed with AIDS.

Mr Kirwan lost to Vernon Rodney Coaker for Labour.

• Dec 01 2023

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