Will & Gloria once again delve into the British newspaper archives and attempt to unpick the real stories, of real people behind the sensational and attention-grabbing headlines of the 80s and 90s AIDS pandemic.

In a series finale Will & Gloria head to Brighton for the bank holiday weekend. Through the papers, the pair learn about the life of the UK’s first openly gay football referee, Norman Redman from West Sussex. However, very little is made of his years of campaigning for gay rights and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Norman had to first contend with teams refusing to play because he was “homosexual”. Then teams refused to play when they learned Norman was “an AIDS carrier” as they deemed him “a health risk”.

The pair also uncover stories from the newspaper archives which include a visit to Brighton AIDS centre by the late Princess Dianna in 1990. A young man convicted of wielding an HIV-infected needled when challenged for stealing a bulb of garlic. And a new game being played in the school playgrounds of West Sussex called “AIDS”.

All articles and relevant documents from this episode are available on the:

XTRA Tea Blog - NORMAN REDMAN

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Music / Instrumental by Aries Beats 'A Sin' + WEBSITE

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Third-party media: Used under 'fair use' for the sole purpose of education, criticism and/or research relating to HIV/AIDS.

• British Newspaper Archives / Newspapers