LGBT helpline distances itself from The Sun’s ‘Hollywood HIV PANIC’ writer
The Switchboard LGBT+ helpline has released a statement distancing itself from ‘Hollywood HIV PANIC’ writer Dan Wootton.
The charity, previously known as The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, took Wootton on as a patron during their rebranding back in June.
But after The Sun writer’s ‘HOLLYWOOD HIV PANIC’ article was printed in Wednesdays edition of The Sun, the helpline released a statement aiming to distance itself from Wootton, according to a report in The Gay UK.
“Switchboard brought Dan Wootton on as a Patron during our re-brand in June 2015 to provide media support.
“Following the rebrand we mutually agreed to end our relationship and Dan has had no involvement with Switchboard since that time.”
The ‘HOLLYWOOD HIV PANIC’ article has spark a backlash from HIV charities and campaigning groups and has received significant criticism on social media.
Terrence Higgins Trust Executive Director, External Affairs, Shaun Griffin, told the Huffington Post: “At its best this is irresponsible journalism, at its worst an insidious headline grab
“The fact is that it is utterly wrong to disclose an individuals HIV status without their permission – though what we are provided with enough information here to effectively identify them.”
This is the second LGBT related controversy that has hit The Sun this week, following the paper falsely reporting that OFCOM was to investigate the BBC’s ‘gay spy’ drama London Spy due to its sex scenes.
Katie Price faced a similar backlash back in 2010 when she tweeted that she should start claiming that Dan Wootton has HIV.
