Adrian Hyyriläinen-Trett: Parliament, Pills and Powerlifting

In 2015, Adrian Hyyriläinen-Trett became the first openly HIV-positive parliamentary candidate in UK history, standing for the Liberal Democrats in Vauxhall. This episode follows their 2004 diagnosis at Camden's Mortimer Market Centre through twelve years on AZT, a complex PTSD diagnosis, and a new life as president of the LGBT Powerlifting Union.

SummaryAdrian Hyyriläinen-Trett was diagnosed with HIV on the 3rd of June 2004, at Camden's Mortimer Market Centre. Twenty-five and living in Beckton at the time, they made the journey home alone on the DLR, before waiting six months to tell their parents, on Boxing Day, that they were both gay and HIV positive.

Eleven years on, standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Vauxhall, Adrian chose to go public about their status ahead of the 2015 general election, becoming the first openly HIV-positive parliamentary candidate in UK history. This conversation follows that journey through twelve years on AZT to a new single-tablet regimen, a 2016 mental health crisis that led to a diagnosis of complex PTSD, and an unlikely second act: powerlifting.

Adrian is now president of the LGBT Powerlifting Union and competed at this summer's Gay Games in Valencia.

The episode closes with reflections on the growing divide between the LGB and wider LGBTQ+ community, and a moment of remembrance for Dean Street's David Stewart, the friend who first got Adrian through the door of a therapist's office.

Key Moments[00:02:24] Why the single-tablet switch: protecting kidneys and liver while staying undetectable[00:04:15] 3 June 2004: an HIV test at Mortimer Market Centre, Camden[00:05:12] "Absolutely nothing": the empty state of HIV education in 2004[00:08:13] A solo journey home on the DLR, processing a new HIV diagnosis alone[00:18:41] Coming out as gay and HIV positive to parents on Boxing Day 2004[00:22:20] Twelve years on AZT, drug resistance, and the road to today's regimen[00:28:17] The decision to become the UK's first openly HIV-positive parliamentary candidate[00:32:52] LGB versus LGBTQ+: the case against leaving trans and non-binary people behind[00:39:16] From a 2016 mental health crisis to president of the LGBT Powerlifting Union[00:44:46] A complex PTSD diagnosis, and a moment of remembrance for David Stewart

About Adrian Hyyriläinen-TrettAdrian Hyyriläinen-Trett is a Liberal Democrat politician and HIV advocate who, in 2015, became the first openly HIV-positive parliamentary candidate in UK history, standing for Vau