In September 1985, 29 year old Roger Youd faced an unimaginable ordeal. Dubbed the "Monsall Patient" by national and international media, Roger was unlawfully detained in Monsall Hospital, Manchester, simply for expressing a wish to return home. At the time, he had an AIDS diagnosis, a condition that unfortunately carried heavy stigma and fear. The unjust detainment order against him, the first of its kind, cast a long shadow not just over his life, but over that of his family's.

Terrence Higgins Trust appointed legal counsel and the gay community held public protests, leading to the detainment order being rescinded upon appeal three weeks after Manchester Council obtained it, a testament to its wrongful nature. Manchester Council, acknowledging the error in the press and on national television, vowed never to use such an order against individuals with HIV/AIDS again. Yet, despite this measure, an apology to Roger Youd and his family has never been issued.

The Youd family and Roger’s friends endured relentless harassment from the tabloid press during an already distressing period. Roger's story is a reminder of a time when ignorance about HIV/AIDS led to fear-mongering and unjust treatment of those affected. An official apology from Manchester Council is not just about acknowledging past errors, but about healing old wounds and ensuring dignity and respect for Roger’s memory.

By granting Roger Youd (posthumously) and the Youd family the apology they deserve, Manchester Council has an opportunity to prove that lessons from the past have indeed been learned, and to set a precedent that disrespect and discrimination will never be tolerated.

Join us in urging Manchester Council to finally issue a public apology to Roger and the Youd family. Sign this petition to help rectify a historical wrong and provide the closure that the Youd family has been denied for over 40 years. Your signature is a step towards justice, accountability, and a reminder that every individual deserves respect and dignity.