The Island will mark World Aids Day on Monday with a number of events and initiatives geared toward raising awareness.
Most notable of the commemorations will be the lighting of the Tynwald building, putting the Island ahead of the UK government in making such a gesture.
Although figures are not known there are a significant number of people on Island who are HIV positive, with some receiving treatment at Noble's Hospital and some opting to go off Island.
Tony Watterson is the co-ordinator of the Isle of Man HIV support group; he has lived with the illness since 1997.
He says he thinks attitudes have progressed in the right direction in recent years:
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