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Red Ribbon - The History

In one sentence, I would describe the meaning of the Red Ribbon as follows:

»The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV positive and people living with AIDS and it unites the people in the common fight against this disease.«

If you focus on the meaning of the color Red in addition to the symbol of the ribbon, it is easier to explain why wearing the Red Ribbon is more than just showing sympathy with those affected:

The Red Ribbon is ...

  • red like love, as a symbol of passion and tolerance towards those affected.
  • red like blood, representing the pain caused by the many people that died of AIDS.
  • red like the anger about the helplessness by which we are facing a disease for which there is still no chance for a cure.
  • red as a sign of warning not to carelessly ignore one of the biggest problems of our time.

In early 1991 Visual AIDS in New York created the idea for a global symbol in the fight against AIDS. A symbol for solidarity and tolerance with those often discriminated by the public - the people living with HIV and AIDS. In the style of the yellow ribbons, which were popular in the USA at the time as a symbol for awareness of those soldiers fighting in the gulf war, the Red Ribbon was born.

Following first events in the New York art scene, Visual AIDS soon was aiming at the Tony Award. In a spontaneous campaign, volunteers sent letters and Red Ribbons to all attendees. Unfortunately, movie actor Jeremy Irons was one of the very few celebrities wearing the Red Ribbon that night. The TV audience was not informed about the meaning of the new symbol.

Nowadays, almost everybody in the USA is aware about the Red Ribbon or even owns one himself. The symbol first came to Europe on Easter Monday in 1992, when more than 100.000 Red Ribbons were distributed during the Freddie Mercury AIDS Awareness Tribute Concert at London's Wembley stadium. More than 1 billion people in more than 70 countries worldwide watched the show on television. That same day, Red Ribbon International in London was founded.

Since then, many similar groups have formed in various European countries following the example of this very first European organization. At the end of 1993, Red Ribbon Germany was born. In Germany, the Red Ribbon was first made known to the public during the ZDF Pop Show which was broadcasted all over Europe by German TV station ZDF in December 1993. The meaning of the Red Ribbon was explained by moderator Kristiane Backer during the show. In September 1993, Red Ribbon Germany became a support group of the German AIDS Foundation. Since we started in November 1993, more than 10 million Red Ribbon were distributed in Germany.

Red Ribbons can be ordered free of charge in small quantities via the Munich office. If you need large quantities of Red Ribbons for the organization of events, please contact Red Ribbon International directly.