HIV Discrimination

     Yesterday evening, as part of my college's acknowledgment of World AIDS Day, I had the privilege of attending an event at which an HIV member of the college's staff spoke about his experiences living with HIV, his life before and after his diagnosis, and his personal views on being "out" as HIV positive. It was an incredibly inspiring talk, and this person spoke from a well-educated, sex positive viewpoint which was truly refreshing and well rounded. He has faced a lot of challenges in his life time, related to HIV, AIDS and otherwise, but the discrimination he faced because of his HIV positive status, and the uneducated fear that still exists surrounding the topic is upsetting. 

     Today, this petition was brought to my attention. If you read the explanatory letter, a 13 year old was openly discriminated against due to his HIV positive status. I hope you read the story and sign the petition. Regardless of that, I hope you educate yourself and others as to how this kind of discrimination perpetuates the irrational fears people have concerning HIV, AIDS, STIs and other illnesses that have been associated with sex. 

      Of course these illnesses are potentially harmful and shouldn't be celebrated, but without proper education and awareness they will continue to spread, and continue to be talked about as taboo, or silenced entirely. The shame surrounding sex, and especially around illness related to sex, does not protect anyone, but instead leaves us all more vulnerable because people aren't educated or are miseducated. Scare tactics are not a reliable method of education, rather communication and openness concerning STI or HIV status are necessary for these illnesses to be treated, managed, and eventually eradicated.