HIV STILL MATTERS

HIV STIGMA

HIV stigma is still hanging around like that embarrassing trend you swore you’d never try (hello, low-rise jeans). And just like bad fashion choices, stigma isn’t doing anyone any favours. In fact, it creates negative attitudes and unfair beliefs about people with HIV. It’s the old-school prejudice that labels someone as “socially unacceptable”—but it’s not 1960, we SHOULD know and DO better than that.

What Does HIV Stigma Look Like? 

Here are some common examples of HIV stigma—those subtle (and not-so-subtle) thoughts that need to go:

  • Assuming Only Certain Groups Are Affected: People often think HIV only affects certain groups, like gay men, people who inject drugs, people who have lots of sex or sex workers, ignoring the fact that HIV can affect anyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from.
  • Blaming the Person for Their Diagnosis: There’s still this damaging assumption that someone “deserves” their HIV status because of “life choices,” like anyone would ever actually “deserve” an illness. Spoiler: they don’t.
  • Questioning Prevention Steps: Some people judge those who openly take steps to prevent HIV transmission, like using PrEP or getting regular testing, as if taking care of yourself is somehow a moral flaw.
  • Making HIV Status the Latest Gossip: The urge to “warn” others or gossip about someone’s HIV status—often framed as “just looking out” for someone—just fuels stigma and violates someone’s right to privacy
  • Stereotyping as “Unsafe” or “Dirty”: The outdated thinking that having HIV makes someone “dirty” or “unclean” still pops up, and it’s a label that reduces people to their health status while reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

But it’s these kinds of thoughts that drive HIV stigma, rooted in misinformation and outdated ideas. But awareness is key, and it’s time to let go of these judgments for good.

Let’s Talk About Discrimination 

Stigma is an attitude, but discrimination is the action. Think of it as stigma’s mean older sibling—the behaviour that treats people with HIV differently from everyone else. Common examples of HIV discrimination include:

  • Healthcare workers refusing to treat someone because they’re HIV-positive (this is both wrong and illegal, FYI).
  • Avoiding the same room as someone with HIV (as if HIV could be caught like a common cold).
  • Refusing to date or be intimate with someone simply because they’re HIV-positive (Pro Tip: HIV positive peeps with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus and it’s the most effective HIV prevention strategy available!).
  • Socially isolating or alienating someone just because they’re HIV-positive- it’s giving high school bully vibes and no thanks!
  • Referring to someone with HIV as “dirty” or “unclean.” We’re in the 21st century—let’s leave outdated labels and name calling behind.
  • People making “jokes” or leaving snarky comments online, and then saying “get over it” or “lighten up”. Sorry mate, but in this scenario you’re the absolute f@ckwit that needs to get over it and grow up.

is STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION COMMON? 

Unfortunately, yes. A recent Australian study found that over 36% of people living with HIV had experienced stigma or discrimination based on their status within the past year, with 30% saying healthcare workers treated them differently.  

WHAT CAN I DO?

Ending HIV stigma starts with you, me, and all of us. It’s time to treat everyone with respect and drop outdated judgments. So, next time you hear something unfair, call it out. After all, breaking the stigma around HIV isn’t just for those affected—it’s for everyone who believes in a fairer world.