Author Topic: Would you wear a HIV POSITIVE T-Shirt? (Read 9366 times)

InquisitHIV · « **on:** April 23, 2014, 07:44:00 am »

I’m interested is hearing positive and negative views on the subject of, or by people who wear these T-shirts, whether they are, or are not actually HIV+.

At the moment I’m thinking that it must be the ultimate way to overcome personal stigma and to come to terms in living with HIV. I suspect most folk would only wear one in the company of understanding friends, but I may be wrong.

Please feel free to post any images of any HIV POSITIVE T-Shirts on this thread. There seems to be many different designs, colors, variations in different parts of the world.

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2014, 07:59:30 am »

I have worn one during AIDS walks but I wouldn't wear one at the gym or shopping around town.

AusShep · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:05:53 am »

Nah. The one in my avatar conveys the only message I'd ever publicly (as in gay bar publicly) convey. Too bad they didn't have #12 to be more accurate, lol.

Dachshund · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:14:27 am »

Whenever I'm out with the guy I infected I wear my "I'm with stupid" T-shirt.

J.R.E. · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:16:53 am »

Heh, Heh,.... There are longterm members of this forum that for some reason can't even use their real names, let alone ever show a picture of themselves. I hardly believe they would wear an HIV positive t shirt.

I'm with Ford. I would wear one to an Aids walk, or possibly an Aids fundraising event, But I wouldn't walk around town with it.

Everybody that needs to know I am positive, already knows, and have for almost 29 years.

Ray

mecch · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2014, 09:54:36 am »

I wouldn't wear one that just says HIV.
But if you find a clever one that lists all the viruses people can get over a lifetime, and theres a box to check which ones the wearer has had so far, i would wear that t-shirt.

emeraldize · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2014, 10:21:03 am »

Nope.

Jeff G · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2014, 10:34:04 am »

I didn't know T-shirts could get aids . HIV positive underwear I can see ... .

Seriously ... When its appropriate I do not mind telling strangers I have HIV . Its a good way to get them to shut up about their gallbladder . I have a hang up of not wanting shirts with any pony's or alligators or any logos at all on them so for me I wouldn't feel good in a HIV T .

wolfter · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2014, 10:41:52 am »

Quote from: AusShep on April 23, 2014, 08:05:53 am

Nah. The one in my avatar conveys the only message I'd ever publicly (as in gay bar publicly) convey. Too bad they didn't have #12 to be more accurate, lol.

There have been a couple of mentions about your shirt. Will you help this vision impaired person and explain what it is? Or perhaps post a larger picture of it, curious minds would like to know.

greg

wolfter · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2014, 10:46:36 am »

I'm with Ray on this one, everyone who NEEDS to know, already does. I wouldn't not wear because of fear and stigma, but because my wardrobe is planned too far in advance.

And I never wear shirts anyways when I'm doing AIDS walks or gay pride events.

short silky shorts sans panties and sandals.

zach · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2014, 10:46:53 am »

depends on the context and setting, i'm with gymrat, it would probably only be somewhere i make a political/social statement

AusShep · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:06:55 am »

Quote from: wolfter on April 23, 2014, 10:41:52 am

There have been a couple of mentions about your shirt. Will you help this vision impaired person and explain what it is? Or perhaps post a larger picture of it, curious minds would like to know.

greg

Sure. It's this one, but with a plain back

http://www.ajaxx63.com/regularfit/rf25.html

wolfter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:13:20 am »

Quote from: AusShep on April 23, 2014, 11:06:55 am

Sure. It's this one, but with a plain back

http://www.ajaxx63.com/regularfit/rf25.html

I'd definitely wear that, anywhere.

I actually bookmarked that site as I am a clothes whore and like some of their products.

zach · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:25:41 am »

i get the swallows joke, but is there something i'm not getting with that shirt, significance wise?

wolfter · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:29:04 am »

Quote from: zach on April 23, 2014, 11:25:41 am

i get the swallows joke, but is there something i'm not getting with that shirt, significance wise?

If you check out the site Zach, you'll see that most of their clothing has a sports related, pun intended theme. I wear lots of had and I really want the one that shows a catcher and reads "catcher" on it.

zach · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:30:25 am »

yeah, thats what i mean, i get that, thats the obvious angle. i wasn't getting anything hiv positive from that

wolfter · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:36:39 am »

Quote from: zach on April 23, 2014, 11:30:25 am

yeah, thats what i mean, i get that, thats the obvious angle. i wasn't getting anything hiv positive from that

I couldn't find a single item on their site that indicates status. Mostly a way of letting men know you're a proud promoter of cheap beer and loose morals.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2014, 11:43:59 am »

Maison Martin Margiela has been making AIDS charity t-shirts for twenty years -- I own three of them, including one in Chinese, and wear them regularly.

Theyer · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2014, 01:43:07 pm »

I see gym guys in Clapham wear ,khaki green T with a white + about 10 cm by 10cm
bang in the middle off there chest.Always thought they where on the prowl and being clear.

aaware72 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2014, 02:36:54 pm »

This is a battle I have been having in my head over the last year, but we need to reduce and work to eliminate the stigma around HIV. It'd going to take those of us that are positive to speak about it freely and stomp on stereotypes.

As of today my answer would be YES! Here a link to some shirts:

http://famousish.com/collections/limited-edition

zach · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:04:13 pm »

see all these shirts so far are cutesy about it. i'm thinking a plain white t, with bold block red lettering "I AM HIV +" or "I HAVE AIDS" something like that, i would wear at aidswalk or political event, not to the local piggly wiggly on double coupon day.

making lemonade? i don't get it. the designer talks about social commentary and says he is making a provocative statement to end stigma. seems he is still shying away it. Positive(ish)?! whats that, sorta HIV?

YellowFever · « **Reply #21 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:09:26 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on April 23, 2014, 11:43:59 am

Maison Martin Margiela has been making AIDS charity t-shirts for twenty years -- I own three of them, including one in Chinese, and wear them regularly.

I can't find the Chinese one. Did you mistaken Japanese characters for Chinese? tut tut....

I probably would wear one when running a marathon. What better way to tell people that it's not a death sentence...Unless you're like that runner who collapsed and died after the London marathon.

Joe K · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:18:33 pm »

I prefer to expose my status in a big way... t-shirts?, not so much.

In 1991 I was interviewed by the Detroit Free Press and my story, along with a picture of me and my medicine bottles, graced the front page. The paper had asked dozens of folks, including many of our HIV leaders and none had thought it would make much of a difference. But they were wrong.

My story reached millions and some folks contacted me personally to offer their compassion and support. Even my neighbor, who hated that I was gay, came over and hugged me one day, when I was raking the leaves. It was at that point, that I knew I had made the right decision and for the time, I was happy to be the face of HIV.

Joe

zach · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:40:50 pm »

joe, even today, that would take great courage... but at that time, i can't even imagine. you are strong sir, thank you

Joe K · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:49:13 pm »

Quote from: zach on April 23, 2014, 04:40:50 pm

joe, even today, that would take great courage... but at that time, i can't even imagine. you are strong sir, thank you

Thanks Zach, it was a calculated risk and there was a lot of conflict that came my way. But those were different times and there were hero's among us all. We did what we could and sometimes, life presented an opportunity that simply could not be missed, because the longer we hide, the longer we will be forced to hide.

Joe

oksikoko · « **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2014, 05:26:44 pm »

I have a tattoo for that purpose.

aaware72 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:04:44 pm »

Quote from: zach on April 23, 2014, 04:04:13 pm

see all these shirts so far are cutesy about it. i'm thinking a plain white t, with bold block red lettering "I AM HIV +" or "I HAVE AIDS" something like that, i would wear at aidswalk or political event, not to the local piggly wiggly on double coupon day.

making lemonade? i don't get it. the designer talks about social commentary and says he is making a provocative statement to end stigma. seems he is still shying away it. Positive(ish)?! whats that, sorta HIV?

Well those part of some fund raising being done by: http://www.thestigmaproject.org/

"The Stigma Project has been making lemonade out of lemons since 2012!

Support our work to reduce HIV-related stigma and help achieve an AIDS-free generation by purchasing one of these limited-edition shirts by Famousish! 100% of the proceeds from "The Lemonade Series" will be donated to TSP! So make lemonade and buy one today!"

The Stigma Project is a nonprofit organization that seeks to end HIV stigma through art, provocation, awareness, and education.

Anyway when I seen the thread about wearing a T-shirt stating your positive this came to mind

harleymc · « **Reply #27 on:** May 02, 2014, 02:28:25 am »

My "Action = Life" one wore out a looong time ago, but I make do with my "HIV/Aids doesn't discriminate people do".

I like the discrimination message one, it puts the spotlight back on any haters. I've never had a bad comment said to me when wearing it.

weasel · « **Reply #28 on:** May 03, 2014, 04:41:09 pm »

I have a few shirts that I wear to Pride , a place that I do not care
if people know I'm HIV POZ .

When I am in Connecticut it feels safe to wear T's with messages ,
not so much in my neck of the woods .

Carl

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Author Topic: Would you wear a HIV POSITIVE T-Shirt? (Read 9366 times)