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Regarding stigma:

I am an HIV+ gay man, and experience the stigma of being HIV+ often. People seem to assume that I've engaged in risky sexual behavior and contracted the disease, and are passing a moral judgement. I contracted HIV from being raped in jail. It DOES seem to matter how you contracted HIV. I wonder if it matters how you contracted cancer or any other chronic disease?

I had my first HIV test in 1986, and always opted for anonymous testing. When I contracted HIV in 2001, I initially tested anonymously. When the result came back positive, I spent some time preparing for my medical records and my life to be branded as 'HIV+'. Part of this process has also been the branding of being labeled 'disabled' because of this disease. It's not surprising that many HIV+ people are suffering from depression and other mental problems. These two terms, 'HIV+' and 'disabled' are loaded with stigma in our society.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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