Take Control of Your Health

Fight the stigma of living with HIV / AIDS and get the help you need

HIV/AIDS has been unlike any other public health issue of our time. The epidemic began in a cloud a fear because, at first, no one knew how it was spread. When it became clear that HIV was infectious, and that it was potentially fatal, there was no treatment. This led to widespread stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Stigma can result in people with HIV being insulted, rejected, gossiped about and excluded from social activities. Fear of this happening can lead to people with HIV being nervous about telling others that they have HIV or avoiding contact with other people. They may end up suffering in silence instead of getting the help they need.

HIV/AIDS stigma often reinforces existing social inequalities based on gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality and culture. Stigma against many populations disproportionately affected by HIV has been present for a long time in the US. HIV has compounded the stigma of homosexuality, drug use, poverty, sex work and racial minority status.

What can YOU Do to FIGHT Stigma?

There are many ways we can all fight HIV stigma in our lives and in our community, whether you are HIV-positive or HIV-negative:

• Break the silence surrounding HIV stigma in our community. Talk about your experiences, fears and concerns about getting HIV or transmitting HIV with friends, a counselor, or a fuck buddy.
• Learn how to better deal with and react when a guy tells you he has HIV.
• Take responsibility for the prevention of HIV. The prevention of HIV is a responsibility that all gay men share – HIV-positive, HIV-negative and HIV status unknown.
• Challenge attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that contribute to HIV stigma. Don’t be a silent witness to it when it happens around you.
• Avoid using language that overtly stigmatizes others.
• Treat guys with HIV as you would treat anyone else: with respect, empathy, and compassion.
• Get informed about how to protect yourself from HIV and be confident in that knowledge. We know how to prevent HIV.
• If you have difficulty playing safe, take charge of your sexual health and get the help you need to ensure you do not get infected with or transmit HIV.

Learn more at: http://www.hivstigma.com/index.php