Grim Reaper HIV ads 'contributed' to violence against LGBT community, inquiry told

Media coverage of the early years of the HIV epidemic contributed to the high level of violence against the LGBT community in NSW in the 1980s, an inquiry has heard. Key points: An inquiry is investigating suspected gay hate crimes committed over 40 years in NSW It hears Grim Reaper ad campaign in 1987 had a "particularly damaging" impact of LGBT people Media coverage of the HIV epidemic drove violence against the community, the inquiry is told The special commission of inquiry is investigating suspected hate crime deaths between 1970 and 2010, which remain unsolved, and was established this year following recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry. Brent Mackie, peak LGBT group ACON's director of policy, strategy and research, today gave evidence that the 1987 Grim Reaper advertising campaign was designed to put HIV "on the agenda" but had a "particularly damaging" effect on gay people. He said at the time it whipped up "hysteria" and resulted in many people perceiving gay men themselves as Grim Reapers, while rhetoric in the media and from some politicians also didn't help. Inquiry into 40 years of 'lonely and terrifying' deaths begins Photo shows black and white newspaper A special commission of inquiry into historical LGBT hate crimes in NSW begins with the aim to provide "some recognition of the truth" as it investigates dozens of deaths.