Paul Fairweather has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023

George House Trust co-founder and LGBT activist, Paul Fairweather, has been awarded an MBE for services to people with disabilities and the LGBT community in the North West in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023.

Paul, who is a renowned HIV activist, LGBT rights champion and ambassador for equality, has been awarded the MBE for his life’s commitment towards promoting inclusion, advocating for equality and challenging hate. His colleagues and friends at George House Trust are all so pleased that his work’s been recognised in this way.

In the early 1980s Paul was at the forefront of the community response to the growing HIV pandemic among gay men in Manchester and across the North West, organising meetings, writing articles in the gay press and lobbying for much-needed support services for people diagnosed with HIV. His work was entirely voluntary and motivated by the experiences of many of his friends and the wider LGBTQ+ community who, as many lives were already being lost, were fearful and in need of information and advice.   

Paul continues to be involved with George House Trust as the Positive Speakers project lead, supporting people living with HIV to use their voice, tell their story and to tackle the HIV stigma that still exists. He works with many people who’ve experienced the sharp end of HIV stigma and supports them to realise their potential to change people’s hearts and minds, unleashing their power of their own story telling to help them grow and lead their own activism.

On being awarded the honour, Paul said:

“My gay activism began in 1974 and my HIV activism in 1984. Today, I am still an activist and I see this MBE as recognition of the work that not only I, but thousands of others, have done to help create a very different world. A world where living with HIV holds no one back. A world where prejudice and discrimination are challenged. A world where disabled people and LGBT people have far greater equality.”

Our Chief Executive, Darren Knight is delighted that Paul's work has been recognised and he said:

“I’ve known Paul for many years through his work to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and tackle HIV stigma in all its guises in Manchester, across the North West and beyond. Working alongside Paul, I’m inspired by his determination to do all he can to make things better for others. I don’t use these words lightly, but he’s an absolute legend. He inspires me in my work every day – he has done since I started working in the LGBTQ+ and HIV sector 17 years ago. His MBE is more than deserved.”

Everyone at George House Trust recognises the value and impact of people using their voice to inspire others. If you're living with HIV or an ally and want to get involved in our work, have a look at the volunteer space on the website to see how you can get involved. https://ght.org.uk/volunteer