An attempt at a discrimination graphic. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I recently came across an opinion piece from Preston Mitchum, a policy analyst for LGBT issues. He reflects on the question how people use the wording” HIV negative” almost as a hideout for not getting tested. But telling his own story about dating a person being HIV positive and rejecting him, he touches on the whole question of maturity and discrimination. We as church always emphasis not being judgmental and not discriminating against somebody being positive. I remember a talk in a Secondary School for girls here in Cape Town where I discussed with the students the question of stigma and discrimination in the context of HIV and AIDS. And being assured from all present that discrimination would never be an option for themselves, especially being students in a Catholic school, I dared to ask who of them would have the courage to take a boyfriend who is HIV positive. There was silence and from more than 200 girls only one hand was raised.
I am convinced that we start tackling stigma and discrimination when starting to deal with our own fears, when we confront ourselves with all our hidden anxieties and when we are able to be honest about it looking into a mirror. The honest testimony of Preston might be helpful to reflect on our own standing when it comes to stigma and discrimination in our own midst.
Using ‘HIV-Negative’ as a Substitution for ‘Haven’t Been Tested’
A policy analyst for LGBT issues confronts his fears about HIV testing.
Related articles
- Special HIV Clinics lead to stigma, fear, some deaths (observer.org.sz)
- Relationship between HIV Stigma and Self-Isolation among People Living with HIV in Tennessee (plosone.org)
- HIV AIDS Positive Stories – Give Support (fashionedforchange.wordpress.com)
Filed under: Catholic Church, General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Reflection, Religion and Ethics, Society and living environment, Aids, Antiretroviral drug, Conditions and Diseases, discrimination, health, hiv, HIV and AIDS, hiv clinics, HIV< AIDS, honest testimony, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Immune Disorders, living with HIV, stigma, stigma and discrimination
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