Panel 3: Royal Navy

This panel represents Terry Higgins’ time serving in the Royal Navy.

It was designed by Lieutenant Commander Oli Brown who was diagnosed with HIV in 2019. Despite not looking like a traditional HIV activist in his naval uniform, Oli successfully challenged the ban on people living with HIV joining and serving fully in the UK’s Armed Forces following his own diagnosis.

The policy change came into force in June 2022, making it clear that HIV doesn’t need to prohibit you from a full career in the military. 

Oli worked with Sara Sullivan from The Quilters’ Guild to produce this panel, constructed using cap tallies donated from different ships and submarines from the Royal Navy.

• Designed by: Lt Cdr Oli Brown
• Produced by: Sara Sullivan

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