8 Facts about Terry Higgins

Terrence (Terry) Higgins was one of the first people in the UK known to have died from AIDS-related illnesses, passing away in 1982, aged 37. 

  1. A Welshman - Terry was born in Haverfordwest, Wales, on 10 June 1945 and later moved to London. 

The fourth panel of the Terry Higgins memorial quilt.

 Welshman, a panel on the Terry Higgins AIDS Memorial Quilt. This panel marks his Welsh heritage with a painting in the colours of the Welsh flag. 

  1. Service - Terry served in the Royal Navy from 1963 to 1968, aboard many vessels, including the frigate, HMS Tartar. 

Terrence Higgins in his navy uniform.

A photo of Terry in the Royal Navy c.1968

  1. A creative streak - Terry was a self-taught piano player, and wrote a book called The Living Zodiac inspired by his fascination with astrology.

Living Zodiac book cover.

The front cover image of Terry’s book.

  1. An international man - Terry enjoyed languages, speaking French, German and Spanish, and would travel to Europe and the USA to collect new music.  

A British Airways airplane.

A British Aircraft Corporation BAC 1-11. Photo: AviationTag

  1. An activist – In 1980, during the Pride March in London, Terry saw others being attacked by the police and he jumped down from the float he was on and screamed “how dare you bitches attack my friends”, confronting the police with a leather belt in hand. 

A nightclub scene.

Pictures from Gay News of Pride in 1980. Photo: Gay News, Number 193

  1. Terry by night – Terry enjoyed clubs like The Coleherne and Bang, and later worked at gay nightclub Heaven as a barman and DJ, becoming a well-known figure in the London gay scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s.  

A nightclub scene.

Bang Nightclub 1979, Photo Robert Workman Archive

  1. The ultimate dad dancer – Terry loved dancing and would become absorbed with the music. He had a unique way of moving, with wiggly legs and hips, and he could ‘outdance’ everyone around him.  

  1. Change maker – Terry’s death brought public attention to HIV/AIDS in the UK, helping to spark early advocacy and government response. 

Terrence Higgins.

A photo of Terry Higgins.

Terry’s death in 1982 prompted his partner, Rupert Whitaker and friend Martyn Butler to set up Terrence Higgins Trust later that year. 

We were the first charity in the UK set up to fight the HIV epidemic and are the leading charity voice on HIV in the UK today.