Bath Medical Museum

29/08/2026

Open until 4pm today

27/08/2026

Just one of the amazing stories you'll come across at our S*x in the City exhibition is that of the San Francisco Blood Sisters.

When the Aids epidemic started in the early 1980s it was a virus that spread rapidly and, at the time, was often fatal. However, fear spread even faster.
Because the majority of early cases affected gay men it was known as the ‘gay cancer’ and by 1982 HIV was called the ‘gay-related immune deficiency’ (Grid).
The media stoked public paranoia and misinformation was abundant.

In 1983, gay men were banned from giving blood across America in an effort to prevent HIV being spread through blood transfusions. With this in place, blood reserves depleted quickly and public blood drives could not keep up with demand. The fear reached new heights in the UK with reports of hospital staff refusing to enter a room with an infected patient inside, there were even reports of pathologists refusing to perform post-mortems on anyone who died of Aids-related illness. The situation was becoming desperate in the UK and in the US.
Enter Barbara Vick who formed the ‘San Diego Blood Sisters’ - a group of le****ns who wanted nothing more than to help the numerous people hospitalised with Aids. Barbara organised regular blood drives to meet demand. Recounting the first blood drive a member commented ‘Barbra hoped there would be 50 or so donating; close to 200 women queued around the block to give their blood’. Thanks to these le****ns, blood was being donated and specifically given to those suffering with Aids.
The original acronym 'LGBT' (Le***an, Gay, Bis*xual, Transgender) highlights this act of kindness - the 'L' was placed at the front in honour of those women.
Barbara, her partner - now wife, have been donating blood ever since.

This is not a story of medical breakthroughs or eureka moments, but simply a story of humanity when all hope seemed lost.

Find more stories by listening to our podcast Doses of History available on YouTube and Spotify.
Visit our S*x in the City exhibition in the museum - 12pm-4pm daily until the 29th Aug. Free entry. No booking required.

22/08/2026

14/08/2026

Food for thought and the body on wellbeing Tuesday. Modest portions, good texture and taste 🍦🥙🥦🥗☀️

10/08/2026

Visit our 'S*x in the City' exhibition, 22 - 29 August, 12pm - 4pm.
Free entry, donations always welcome.
🚨PLEASE NOTE: Due to the explicit nature of the theme and some objects on display - visitors with children please be advised.

04/08/2026

Some artwork from the Tuesday wellbeing group, having fun using air-pump!

01/08/2026

Episode 4 is now available!!

In this extra long episode, James, Karen and Honey takes a deep div...

30/07/2026

🚨NEXT EXHIBITION: 'S*x in the City' August 22-29.
12pm-4pm daily. Free entry. Donations always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: This exhibition will contain objects and language related to s*x and STIs. Visitors with young children please be advised.

🔹Discover how syphilis arrived in Europe in 1495 and why it spread so fast.
🔹The toxic treatments and why we say 'mad as a hatter!'
🔹Learn of the secret world of debauchery in Victorian cities.
🔹Why did women get the blamed for spreading diseases while men were overlooked?
🔹Look at a real STI specimen through our antique microscope
We can't wait to see you!

28/07/2026

August 1st, 5pm...
Doses of History episode 4: S*x in the City.
🚨PLEASE NOTE: contains explicit language related to s*x and s*xual health.

In this episode, James, Karen and Honey explore the history of syphilis, the taboo behind AIDS, and revealing local connections to Bath.
🔸Discover the promiscuous world of Victorian s*x work.
🔸Find out why women were subject to examination and imprisoned if they had s*xual diseases.
🔸Toxic treatments that sent people mad
🔸And what did beards have to do with all this?
Our special guest, David Evans (UWE Bristol) shares his experiences as a S*xual Health Advisor during the 1980s/90s where he worked with hundreds of people who had a range of s*xual diseases including AIDS. He'll talk of the social stigma and the unsung heroes of the AIDS epidemic.

22/07/2026

Betty led our Tuesday group in making some lavender sachets, for a relaxing and fun wellbeing session ✨