For LGBT History Month, we have been sharing the stories of people both past and present that helped shape and create social change, advancing society for everyone.

Tom Wilkes, Paramedic and LGBT+ Network Deputy Chair, chose the work of Nicky Perry. In 1988, Nicky began nursing HIV patients at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital after being contacted by an agency struggling to fill the role. They whispered that the placement was on the AIDS ward, as though issuing a warning. Despite this, Nicky joined a close-knit team providing compassionate care in the face of widespread prejudice. Patients on these wards were often isolated, rejected by society and abandoned by family. Nicky recalls becoming not just a caregiver but also a counsellor, ensuring patients felt safe and supported, particularly at the end of their lives. For many gay men, whose families excluded their partners, staff created a sense of belonging and dignity that society denied them.

Now working in academia, Nicky has published extensively on HIV care and continues to advocate against stigma, reminding us of the power of compassion and activism in driving social change.

On this, Tom said: “Nicky and her team challenged stigma and broke barriers in healthcare, and whilst progress has been made, stigma still prevents many from seeking testing and treatment. That’s why LGBT History Month is important in highlighting and advocating for social change.”