Red Ribbon

The Red RibbonRed Ribbon

  • international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness since 1991.
  • represents solidarity and support for people living with HIV and in remembrance of those who have died of AIDS.
  • symbol of commitment to challenge the stigma an prejudice surrounding HIV.
  • all monies raised from Red Ribbons go towards support services for people living with HIV.

In an era where there is a ribbon for every cause and appeal, the Red Ribbon maintains its uniqueness due to the story of how it came about.

Show your support and tell people HIV is still here.luncheonClub
Wear a Red Ribbon

A huge thank you to all the Volunteers at The Luncheon Club for making 20,000 ribbons that will be used across NSW during World AIDS Day 2009.

The Luncheon Club is a charity that provides services to people living with and affected by HIV.

The Red Ribbon was conceived in 1991 at the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus, New York. Painter Frank Moore lived in upstate New York, where a neighbouring family was displaying yellow ribbons in support of their soldier-daughter's safe return from the Gulf War. According to Moore, "it convinced me that it could be a metaphor for AIDS as well.

The Visual AIDS Artists Caucus believed it was important to:

  • remain anonymous as individuals and to credit the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus as a whole in the creation of the Red Ribbon;
  • keep the image copyright free, so that no single individual or organization would profit from the use of the red ribbon; and
  • use the Red Ribbon as a conscious raising symbol, not as a commercial or trademark tool.

Red Ribbons

The Ribbon Project was officially launched at the 45th Annual Tony Awards ceremony in 1991. All of the nominees and presenters were encouraged, with success, to wear the ribbons. According to the Visual AIDS press release announcing The Ribbon Project, "The red ribbon (an inverted 'V' without a bow) will act as a symbol of our sympathy, support and hope for a day without AIDS. All involved with this project hope that by December 1st, World AIDS Day, these ribbons will be worn across the world."

  • The colour red was chosen for its "connection to blood and the idea of passion -- not only anger, but love, like a valentine."
  • The tails of the ribbon pointing down was chosen to symbolise life flowing away.

Since its debut at the 1991 Tony Awards, the image of the ribbon is seen all around the world. Volunteers in many countries give their time and effort to produce the enormous number of ribbons worn on World AIDS Day.


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