A moving vigil and community-led performances will anchor this year’s World AIDS Day event at one of London’s most iconic LGBT venues, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT).
Ahead of World AIDS Day, Impulse London will bring the community together for an evening of remembrance and celebration on Sunday 30 November, with a special event titled We Look Back, We Live On.
The night invites attendees to reflect on the lives lost to AIDS-related illness and chemsex-related harm, while recognising the significant progress made in HIV treatment, prevention and stigma reduction over the past four decades. Hosted inside one of London’s most historic LGBTQ+ spaces, the gathering will focus on healing, unity and the ongoing fight against HIV stigma.
Impulse London, founded in 2017, is entirely volunteer-run and focuses on mental health, sexual health, HIV awareness and community support for queer men who participate in chemsex. It forms part of Impulse Group, a global network established in 2009, now comprising 25 chapters worldwide and contributing to more than 400 events each year.
Acting President of Impulse London Chris Gunner said:
“For World AIDS Day, we want to redefine the narrative around HIV and celebrate the strength and resilience of our amazing community.
For decades, our community has been unstoppable when we have stood together, and Impulse London remains a proud advocate and ally for our HIV family and friends.”
The evening will open with a Red Light Vigil, offering attendees space to remember friends, family members and community figures affected by AIDS-related illness and chemsex harm. The vigil will include personal stories from those whose lives have been touched by HIV, as well as a special musical tribute from the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
Speeches from people living with HIV and representatives from organisations such as Fast Track Cities will highlight progress in treatment, prevention and community support. Organisers emphasise messages such as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), meaning people with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on to sexual partners.
The event will also spotlight the role of PrEP, a prevention tool that has enabled many to make empowered sexual health decisions.
Following the vigil, community artists and performers will take the stage, celebrating the idea that joy is a form of resistance. Throughout the evening, attendees will have access to harm reduction resources and signposting for HIV and chemsex support.
Impulse London has partnered with Good Boi Candles to create a new candle, Redefined, symbolising progress in HIV advocacy and the evolving narrative around living well with HIV. The first 100 guests will receive a free candle.
Entry to We Look Back, We Live On is free, though organisers encourage advance registration for what promises to be a powerful and hopeful evening. For safety and comfort, all bags and coats must be checked into the cloakroom as a condition of entry.
Event details
Title: We Look Back, We Live On
Occasion: World AIDS Day
Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
Time: 4:30pm – 10:30pm
Venue: Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London
Cost: Free (registration required)
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-look-back-we-live-on-sunday-30-november-1630pm-tickets-1965848687343