Project panel members with ECU's Maruf Rahman (second from right) and WAAC CEO, Dr Daniel Vujcich (far right).
A Ribbon Through Time: A History of the Community Response to HIV in Western Australia, documented the activism, support, and innovation led by WAAC (formerly WA AIDS Council) as part of Boorloo Heritage Festival in April.
Maruf worked alongside fellow volunteers Laura O'Regan and Amy O'Regan, and archivist Graham Grundy from WestPride Archives, to sift through decades of posters, newspaper clippings, photos, and personal stories.
Their work culminated in a timeline that captured the milestones and challenges of WA's world-leading response to HIV — from grassroots safe sex campaigns to landmark political battles and the growing leadership of people living with HIV.
"I was blown away by the power of community organisations here," said Maruf.
"The way people came together in response to HIV — it wasn't just about medicine or science, it was about people supporting each other, demanding change, and creating something that still lasts today. That's something I want to take back to my own country."
Maruf is from Bangladesh, a country that faces various challenges in their response to HIV, including stigma and discrimination that comes from the criminalisation of ‘same-sex relations’.
As a result, many men who have sex with men (MSM) avoid seeking HIV testing, treatment or prevention services, fearing exposure, harassment or violence.
"HIV infection is a growing concern in Bangladesh, especially within the LGBTIQA+ community," said Maruf.
"Due to legal and social stigma, many men who have sex with men (MSM) avoid testing, increasing the risk of undetected transmission.
The lack of accessible, safe spaces further discourages testing and care."
Australia's response to HIV
Australia's response to HIV began in the early 1980s, with the first cases identified in 1983.
By 1985, Australia had adopted a groundbreaking partnership approach between government, healthcare and affected communities, including people living with HIV.
The Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) was founded in 1985, leading local efforts in prevention, support and education.
Their work included early safe sex campaigns, candlelight vigils and strong advocacy through the evolving science and shifting public attitudes.
Today, WA continues to play a role in Australia’s world-leading HIV response, while also confronting ongoing challenges like stigma, new cases and outdated policies.
Strengthening connections across generations
WAAC CEO, Dr Daniel Vujcich, recognised the vital role of Maruf and his colleagues in the preserving of WA's queer history and strengthening connections across generations.
"We are so grateful for Maruf and his colleagues in this project," he said.
"WAAC was born from the queer rights movement, and we'll never walk away from it.
"Documenting our history means honouring the courage, care, and defiance of the people who built our response to HIV in WA.
"Remembering is how we resist erasure – it is an act of intergenerational solidarity.
"Remembering also gives us a blueprint for our present and future work - showing us what's possible when community leads the way."
IDAHOBIT – A reminder of the discrimination that still exists
As we mark IDAHOBIT, International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination, it's an important moment to reflect not only on how far Western Australia and Australia’s HIV response has come, but also on the barriers that persist.
This project reminds us that homophobia, biphobia, intersex discrimination and transphobia have always been deeply intertwined with the HIV epidemic.
While treatments have advanced and Australia has made progress towards virtual elimination of new HIV cases, outdated policies, like conditions around blood donation for men who have sex with men, remain a legacy of fear and stigma.
These policies continue to signal that some people's bodies are viewed as more risky or less worthy, reinforcing the very discrimination that days like IDAHOBIT seek to challenge.
Honouring our history means celebrating the victories but also recognising the unfinished work to ensure that health, dignity and rights are upheld for everyone — no matter who they are or who they love.
A message of hope
While the Heritage Festival has ended, the impact of A Ribbon Through Time endures. For Maruf, the project wasn’t just about looking back — it was about understanding how documenting and honouring history can empower new generations to continue the fight against stigma, discrimination and inequality.
"Learning about this history gave me hope," Maruf says.
"It showed me that change is possible when people come together, and that young people like me have a role in carrying that work forward."
Upcoming events
WAAC will soon be showing the display as part of Subiaco's shopfronts exhibition, before it will be on permanent display at WAAC.
To commemorate IDAHOBIT, you can join UWA's LGBTIQA+ Research Showcase on Friday 16 May, 5:30–8.00pm.
And on Sunday 18 May, 5:30–7.00pm, WAAC is hosting an International AIDS Candlelight Memorial to honour those lost and support those living with HIV.
