Tributes flood in for LGBT+ pioneer and activist David Stuart who died suddenly

Tributes flood in for LGBT+ pioneer and activist David Stuart who died suddenly.


HUNDREDS of heartfelt tributes have flooded social media after it was announced that LGBT+ pioneer and activist David Stuart had died suddenly.
Described as “pioneering in his approach”, Stuart dedicated his time as an advocate, activist, support worker, campaigner, lecturer and researcher who worked tirelessly to help the LGBT+ community with substance misuse.
A statement from Soho based, 56 Dean Street, who David worked for for the last 8 years, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of our colleague and friend David Stuart.
“He is known and respected internationally for his tireless work with Gay, Bi & Queer communities which he did with passion, empathy & kindness.
“David’s work with our patients has undoubtedly saved many lives and his loss is immeasurable to all of us,” the statement concluded.
Stuart is believed to have coined the “chemsex” which is described as using drugs as part of your sex life and is said to be most common among gay and bi men. Stuart began his work around chemsex after using drugs himself for a decade.
“I found myself sober-ish, with a criminal record for drug dealing, a considerable accumulation of traumas and with a fire in my belly that drove me to raise awareness about chemsex,” he said on his website.
“I have tried to raise awareness about the chemsex epidemic that that is responsible for (yes, great amounts of pleasure) and also unfair, disproportionate experiences of trauma, psychosis, suicides and overdoses amongst (mostly) gay men all around the world.
“It truly is epidemic and so, so upsetting, almost becoming normalised experiences for too many gay men. Nearly every gay man in the world knows someone who has been affected very poorly by chemsex.”
Tributes have flooded social media after news spread about his untimely passing.
Gay Times writer wrote: “Devastating news, David was a shining light in our community and a real character. His work with addiction, HIV and mental health saved countless lives. He will be missed”
UNAIDS wrote: “UNAIDS is deeply saddened by the sudden death of David Stuart, a pioneer and internationally recognized activist, researcher and health worker that provided inestimable contribution to the health of gay and bisexual men and to the HIV response. Rest in power”


The National AIDS Trust said: “We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of David Stuart, a titan in the field of sexual health. David’s pioneering work around chemsex made a huge difference to the lives of countless people. We are thinking of our friends at 56 Dean Street, along with anyone who knew him.”


BBC Radio One presenter, Dean McCullough, wrote: “I’m lost for words, we owe David Stuart so much. A true pioneer. He will be missed forever x”


Green Party London Assembly Member, Zack Polanski, wrote: “Really sad to hear of the death of David Stuart. David was both a friend and a formidable campaigner for both HIV prevention and treatment. His legacy of work on undetectable = untransmittable is a remarkable mark to be leaving behind and he’ll be remembered with much love.”


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Written by

Matthew Roscoe

Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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