Labour MP Kevin McKenna has publicly disclosed his HIV diagnosis, emphasizing that the ongoing stigma surrounding the virus is putting heterosexual people at risk.
Speaking during a debate in Westminster Hall, the Sittingbourne and Sheppey representative encouraged people to undergo HIV testing, stating, “It is just a little scratch on the finger, and there should be no stigma.”
McKenna is now the latest British politician to reveal his HIV-positive status, following Lord Chris Smith in 2005 and Lloyd Russell-Moyle in 2018.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) weakens the immune system and, if left untreated, can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
At 51, McKenna shared that he tested positive for HIV in January 2004Â while working as a nurse in London hospitals. During that time, he witnessed the impact of the AIDS epidemic, which devastated communities since the early 1980s.
He explained that, as a healthcare worker, he regularly took HIV tests, making his diagnosis part of a routine check.
McKenna, who lives in Sittingbourne with his husband, manages his condition with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a daily medication that suppresses HIV levels and prevents transmission to sexual partners. While acknowledging the challenges of living with HIV, he expressed optimism about medical advancements, stating that the UK is on track to eliminate new infections by 2030.
The MP takes his HIV medication alongside other prescriptions for arthritis and statins, describing it as a regular part of his health routine.
However, he noted that treatment is evolving, with researchers developing long-acting therapies, including weekly pills and monthly or biannual injections, which could revolutionize HIV treatment.
According to the International HIV Statistics, around 113,500 people in the UK were living with HIV in 2023, with an estimated 5,200 individuals undiagnosed.
The Labour Party has pledged to end new HIV cases by 2030, aiming to remove barriers to HIV testing and treatment.
However, the stigma surrounding HIV persists, discouraging many from getting tested. A Newfoundland Diagnostics poll revealed that one in four heterosexual men avoids HIV tests due to the misconception that they cannot contract the virus.
McKenna pointed out that outdated beliefs contribute to higher transmission rates among heterosexual people, compared to previous decades when HIV disproportionately affected gay men, Black communities, and intravenous drug users.
He stressed the importance of raising awareness, as many remain unaware that undetectable HIV is untransmittable (U=U) or that PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can prevent infection in HIV-negative individuals.
In a landmark moment for HIV awareness, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer became the first UK Prime Minister and G20 leader to take an HIV test publicly during National Testing Week. He follows former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who took a test in 2017 to promote regular screening.
McKenna praised Starmer’s initiative, questioning why it took so long for a Prime Minister to set such an example. “Keir does things that need doing, and that’s what’s so great about it,” he said. “Surprisingly, no Prime Minister has done this before, but it’s a testament to how far society has progressed.”
Reflecting on his own experience, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who disclosed his HIV status in 2018, commended McKenna’s approach, describing it as a “matter-of-fact” discussion rather than a sensationalized revelation. He emphasized that more public figures speaking openly about HIV will help combat misconceptions and reduce stigma.
Richard Angell OBE, CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust, applauded McKenna for normalizing HIV as a manageable condition, highlighting that such openness is crucial in destigmatizing the virus and encouraging regular testing.
