Red ribbon

Symbol of solidarity and compassion. Central part of the Born HIV Free logo (May 2010)

The red ribbon, a symbol of solidarity and compassion towards people afflicted by AIDS, was created by the American painter Franck Moore. (Born in 1954, he was struck down by the disease in 2002.) At the time, in 1991, AIDS had already killed 130,000 people throughout the world. With the artists’ group Visual Aids Artists Caucus, the New York painter took inspiration from the yellow ribbon that families of American soldiers fighting to the Gulf hung on trees in the hopes that their loved ones would return safe and sound. The red ribbon, which is used in the logo of organizations combating AIDS (Aides, Sidaction), is worn like a “pin” over the heart. It is both an international symbol and a prize. Every two years, the International AIDS Congress, on the initiative of UNAIDS, awards a Red Ribbon Prize to community initiatives in the fight against AIDS. Twenty-five community groups were invited to take part in the 18th International AIDS Congress, which will be held July 18 through 23 in Vienne. Each of them will receive a prize of 5,000 dollars and five of them will also receive special recognition together with an additional 15,000 dollars.