Love & Suppression

Love & Suppression is a short film created by ACT UP Dublin, introducing the Undetectable=Untransmittable movement. More commonly referred to as U=U, it seeks to mainstream the fact that those living with HIV, who are on effective treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on to their sexual partners. 

In the film, Robbie Lawlor and his partner Maurice share their story as a serodifferent couple. The two have participated in the PARTNER Study which analysed 58,000 condom-less sex acts between mixed HIV status couples. During the study, no new HIV transmissions occurred if the HIV positive partner was 'undetectable': when the virus becomes so low in the body following medication it cannot be passed on.

This is a revolution at a time of persistent stigma. U=U also demonstrates that sex is safer with someone who has a positive status and takes their medication than someone who does not know their status at all. Get tested and feel empowered in your sex – regardless of your status.

Direction: Samuel Foxton. Production: Will St Leger. Assistant Cameraman: Joe McGovern.