Thank you to those stigma warriors

[Almost2late]

Been noticing as of lately people coming out against the stigma like that German magazine written in HIV+ blood to that HIV+ guy and his HIV- family.. I am humbled by their courage and also the support and understanding of many people HIV-..

And then this pastor who came out to her congregation..
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/21/hiv-positive-vicar-overwhelmed-by-response-to-video

also this PSA thats been airing here in Broward...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK5dzPjtdgI

[Joe K]

Hey Almost,

Thank you for the links.  The pastor was simply amazing and the Broward PSA shows great progress.  Social media has created so many new avenues, where we can share the reality of being HIV positive. 

In 1991, I agreed to do a story for the Detroit Free Press on what life was like being poz.  I knew that putting my face to the disease was a risk, not only to me, but my daughter, ex-wife, family and friends.  I also knew that if I didn't do it, possibly no one else would, as the paper had asked many to be the subject of the story.

So there I was, a half-page picture of my head, next to all my pill bottles, on the front of the Living Section of the Detroit Free Press.  My doubt began immediately upon publication.  Comments came back to me, through various sources, both bad, but mostly good.  Then I was out cutting my grass one day, and my next door neighbor came over to me.  She stood there for a minute, and said she had read about me in the paper.  She took a step, hesitated and grabbed me and gave me one of the best hugs I have ever had.

It was at that moment, that I knew that knowledge is indeed power.  The more we know, the less we fear.

Joe

[Almost2late]

Thanks for sharing that Joe.. It really touched me, thank you.. would love to read that article..

I think bringing the stigma subject to social media helps not just those who are hiv- but also people like me who are having trouble accepting ourselves..

Just like to share this one more if I may, it's not super new but it was new to me and was emotionally comforting to me, don't know if I'm making sense here..

http://www.wemakethechange.com/faces/

[Andy Velez]

Stigma warriors RULE! They are an essential  part of how we will ultimately end the epidemic.

ROCK ON!

[Almost2late]

They do rock!

POZ featured the Brazilian "WATCH: Reactions to Posters Containing Drops of HIV-Positive Blood" video earlier today.. WOW! ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_kKW6PuFag

Need these posters all over the world.. I find this very effective at getting people to think and test and not fear.

[pozitiveandblessed978]

We are one voice but together we can make a difference! Living and moving forward..

[Almost2late]

"All too often, the way the media portrays HIV today stigmatizes those who are living with the virus. Currently, the popular characterization of people with HIV we see, in news media especially, is as potential spreaders of the virus, and in some worst-case scenarios, as predators."
— GLAAD