AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) London present This is Your Life - WORLD AIDS DAY SPECIAL - Celebrating the Icons Who Changed the Story of HIV Activism
WHEN - Friday 28 November 2025 - Doors open 6.30pm.
WHERE - The Cinema Museum, 2 Dugard Way, Renfrew Rd, London SE11 4TH
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the legendary British biographical TV series This Is Your Life is BACK — with a World AIDS Day twist.
Join ACT UP London heartthrobs and multi-award-winning actors and broadcasters Alix Fox and Alan Turkington and the infamous Big Red Book as we surprise two very special guests and take them on a rollercoaster through their life. Expect laughter, tears, and unforgettable stories told by the people who have fought, loved, and changed the world alongside them.
This one-off live special honours HIV activist pioneers whose lives of courage, love, and defiance have reshaped healthcare, challenged stigma, ignited sex-positivity, and inspired generations — from street protests to parliament.
“What makes a great activist? We’re sharing the lives of two brilliant people who changed things for the better for people with HIV in the UK” Lisa Power, HIV and queer rights activist and campaigner, Chair of HIV Justice Network, co-founder of Stonewall and Pink Paper, Queer Britain Trustee'
After the show: stick around for fabulous food and a dancefloor takeover with surprise guest DJs.
Wear your most fabulous frocks, bring your biggest cheers, your loudest love and your most glamorous selves — this is not just a show, it’s a celebration of survival, joy, and unstoppable community power.
Hosted by AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) London, AIDS Quilt UK, Medact, Naz Project London, Positively UK, National AIDS Trust, Mark Ashton Trust, CliniQ, Positive East, Sophia Forum & friends.
"There are rare souls whose belief, kindness, and vision linger with you forever — whose footsteps echo in every life they’ve touched. Witness the change and the impact they have left on us." Harun Tulunay, HIV Advocate and Activist, Troublemaker
DRESS CODE - Dress to Celebrate!
ACCESSIBILITY - The venue is wheelchair accessible via a lift. There are accessible toilets, accessible parking spaces and there will be a BSL interpreter on the night.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS -
Alan Turkington is an Irish actor and activist (an actorvist if you will. Oh. You won't?) working across theatre, tv, film, videogames and audio. Recent work includes Heartstopper and AIDS: The Unheard Tapes, and he is the Voice of Sky TV. He is passionate about new writing and championing original queer stories. He firmly believes that we don't deserve dogs.
Alix Fox is an award-winning writer and broadcaster whose work focuses on sexual culture and wellbeing. Foxy was a script consultant on hit Netflix series Sex Education, and has presented shows for BBC Radio 1, Audible, Channel 4 and The Guardian. A face of HIV Testing Week, she's an effervescent advocate for HIV rights, and is running the London Marathon 2026 to raise funds for Positive East. The only thing that runs faster than her legs is her mouth!
TIMINGS
Doors Open - 6.30pm
Show Begins - 7.30pm - Act 1
Interval - 8.15pm
Act 2 - 8.45pm
DJ set with ACT UP London's Knayohmi (AKA Naomi) until 10.30pm.
POSTER DESIGN - Credit to ACT UP art-ivist extraordinaire @markglasgowillustration
Event Venue
The Cinema Museum, 2 Dugard Way, London, SE11 4TH, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
