Our Story
Welcome to Ribbon Community
Founded as AIDS Vancouver in 1983, we are one of the first AIDS service organizations in Canada.
During our 40th anniversary year, we listened to the communities that make our work possible about our future. From these consultations, we updated our purpose, values, name, and logo to pull the past, present, and future of the HIV response together. Now, we create welcoming and respectful spaces to support and empower our communities in responding to the impacts of HIV and HIV stigma.
the red ribbon
Our name and logo use the concept of the red ribbon, an intentional choice to pull the past, present, and future of the HIV response together, connecting the many communities that make Ribbon Community possible.
Our logo is the red ribbon in the form of an ‘r’. The original red ribbons were developed by Visual AIDS in the earliest days of the epidemic in New York City. This symbol was made famous at the 1991 Tony Awards, and later made by the hundreds at ribbon bees pictured here.
OUR PURPOSE
We support and empower communities in overcoming the impacts of HIV and HIV stigma.
Support
Ribbon provides practical assistance including a listening ear, food and hygiene items, drop-in services, and connects community members with government benefits, health care providers, and a welcoming place.
Empower
Community leadership has always been essential in the HIV response, and today is no different. Ribbon Community fosters this leadership and empowers individuals and communities as we amplify, strengthen, and encourage.
Our (many) communities
As Ribbon Community, our communities include people who have lived with HIV for days or decades, HIV-negative people who want support to navigate sex and substance use with HIV prevention in mind, Indigenous Peoples, and HIV-negative people who may come contact with HIV in spaces of joy and pleasure or systemic inequities.
HIV
Ribbon is an HIV-specific organization that holds space for the ways AIDS has shaped our communities. We are as holistic as we can be, going beyond the virus itself.
HIV Stigma
HIV stigma makes it harder to have the sex we want, build a family (chosen or otherwise), get healthcare we need, and be our full selves. Ribbon is here to change that.
OUR VALUES
We nurture meaningful involvement of people living with HIV.
We welcome our communities.
We honour every journey.
We are accountable.
bc’s hiv response 1983 – 2013
The 30 30 Campaign
There are 40+ years of stories about our organization, one of the very first AIDS service organizations in the country.
Some of these stories were recorded as part of our 30th anniversary project, The 30 30 Campaign. Over thirty short videos, this series uses interviews and archival footage to tell some of the stories of those who were there. Thanks to Be The Change for bringing this campaign to life.
watch the 30 30 videosfrom aids van to ribbon.
New name. Same commitment.
In March 2024, we hosted a community celebration and shared our new purpose, values, name and logo for the first time. We celebrated the 40+ years of community leadership within the HIV response through food, ceremony, and drag.
Watch the Ribbon reveal
Be a Ribbon Insider
The Ribbon Insider is our monthly enewsletter. It highlights upcoming groups, activities, events, and other opportunities within the HIV response.
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