Still Thinking About It's a Sin

Recently I was lost in watching ‘It’s a Sin’. Unusually for me, I binge-watched all 6 episodes one weekend and became immersed in the 80’s. Some of the characters (Colin and his mum especially) have stayed with me for days and I couldn’t stop thinking about the series. Art really has the power to transform and touch us. 

It took me back to so many thoughts and places. Sex education at school where we were warned about contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Being taught to have an immense fear of sex or teenage pregnancy and yet nothing about intimacy, pleasure or enjoyment. 

At around 19/ 20 years old, I trained in reiki and volunteered at a charity for people with HIV. Strangely the church (now converted to luxury flats!), is only a few minutes’ walk from where I live now. I think back to that time and remember how progressive the charity was for recognising the importance of spiritual and emotional connection for people with a chronic illness such as HIV and AIDS. It was a long time ago, but I remember how grateful people were for the services we provided. There really is something special about simple, hands-on touch and holding space for someone. I don’t remember many of the conversations, but I do remember the stigma and shame related to the illness. In my naivety whilst watching ‘It’s a Sin’, I realised how many people had been rejected by their families. The stigma of the disease and the embodied shame they carried. It was a place of trust and acceptance. Regardless of someone’s sexuality, or cultural origin, or issues with addiction. We need more compassion like that in the world.

It strikes a chord because of the present need for keeping distance and avoiding physical contact. And yet how deeply nourishing and necessary physical touch is. 

Another thing I wanted to share is the special clinic that I was lucky to experience when I was training to be an osteopath. At the British School of Osteopathy,  now known as University College of Osteopathy, we had the chance to treat at the ‘Chapman clinic’. It was a free clinic for people with HIV and AIDS. Symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy (a painful nerve condition). It’s now been renamed the ‘Blanchard clinic’ after a quiet and intelligent tutor that I was lucky to be taught by, and is also in partnership with Royal Free Hospital. Although advances in medication for HIV have been exceptional, there’s still a need for supporting chronic illnesses through hands on, holistic approaches.

The third thing I wanted to share was the role of the intimacy co-ordinator. I was lucky to speak with Ita O’Brien, founder of ‘Intimacy on Set’ for my podcast. ‘It’s a Sin’ is one of many recent shows (also ‘Normal People’, ‘I May Destroy You’ and ‘Bridgerton’) that had this valuable role to ensure consent and communication when filming intimate scenes. It’s important that actors are safe and the clarity of the guidelines for a role like this are an important part of creating that.