Remembering Deborah Norris

May 20, 2025

The board and staff of CATIE were heartbroken to learn of the passing of Deborah Norris – activist, educator and Western representative on the CATIE board of directors since 2022.

Shortly after being diagnosed with HIV in 1991, Deborah quickly sprang into action. She immersed herself in the work of community organizations to help others in similar situations, working to increase awareness and defend the rights of people living with HIV. She served as chair or co-chair of local, provincial and national HIV organizations, including HIV Edmonton, the Alberta Society of Positive Women, United Voices of HIV Alberta and the Canadian Positive People Network.

Deborah first publicly disclosed her HIV status in 1992, a time when treatment options for the virus were limited, the condition was still seen as a death sentence, and women’s needs were rarely considered in the Canadian HIV response. Yet she saw the power of her disclosure to educate others and reduce stigma. While her ongoing decision to leverage her HIV status to improve the lives of others has always been admirable, it was even more brave and selfless three decades ago when HIV stigma was at its height.

With a degree in psychology and a background in education, Deborah brought the skills gained from her previous work life into her HIV activism. She championed advocacy efforts to provide greater funding to community-based HIV organizations, co-producing this video for the 2022 International AIDS Conference in Montreal.

When a scientific consensus emerged that a person living with HIV on effective treatment can’t pass it on to their partners, Deborah became a tireless advocate for the “undetectable equals untransmittable” message, or U=U. She was frequently seen donning U=U t-shirts and buttons at conferences and public events, and she never missed an opportunity to spread this good news.

Our hearts are with Deborah’s family, friends, co-workers and allies who have all been saddened by this news. We will carry her legacy forward by continuing her efforts to ensure Canada’s HIV response is effective, equitable and properly supported.

CATIE will acknowledge Deborah’s contributions to CATIE and the broader HIV movement at our online annual meeting this fall.