Stigma kills.
Hidden in attitudes, in what is not said aloud, in exclusion and revulsion, stigma thrives in silence. And it is alive and way too well regarding HIV.
People who are living with HIV are keenly aware of the role stigma plays in their lives and in the spread of HIV. Too many people are still contracting HIV and living with it — largely because of stigma.
As World AIDS Day approaches, Dec. 1, know that, in King County, there are more than 7,000 people currently living with HIV, according to kingcounty.gov.
The June 2016 Edition of UNAIDS Science Now’s “HIV this month” asserts that, “People who take their ART [antiretroviral therapy] effectively and in whom the virus is suppressed to undetectable levels are no longer infectious.”
We have the technology, and treatment exists to stop the spread of HIV.
But …
Too many people still aren’t getting tested because of the stigma associated with having HIV — the stigma of being gay, and of being gay and:
• a person of color
• a person of faith
• a person who has immigrated to this country
• a person who is undocumented
• a person without medical insurance
• a person without a medical provider who is educated about HIV treatment
Because too many people aren’t getting tested, too many people aren’t getting treated.
Because too many people aren’t getting treated, too many people are still dying — because of stigma.
This idea of stigma is not new. It’s been around forever.
But we, here and now, have the power to break the silence in which this stigma thrives. If we do not, we are complicit in its strength.
There is hope. Stigma is a human condition. It exists in our human minds and is 100 percent curable. Its Kryptonite is reason, love, acceptance and, in the case of HIV prevention, a large dose of advocacy.
If you think you don’t need to advocate for HIV testing, prevention and treatment, think again. In our community and our world, we are responsible for caring for those who live in it. Choose to do something to make a difference.
• Get tested, and let people know you are getting tested. Go to hiv.gov to find a testing center near you.
• Go with a friend to get tested.
• Post about HIV testing locations near you.
• Encourage friends you know who are living with HIV to get care and to comply with their treatment regimen.
• Call Congress to encourage expansion of coverage of antiretroviral therapy.
• Encourage greater education of medical practitioners about available treatment.
• Educate youth, adults and older adults about how HIV is spread and how to reduce the likelihood of contracting it.
Here’s what not to do. Don’t do nothing. If you do, your passivity is part of allowing stigma to continue to kill.
Instead, do your part to suppress stigma to undetectable levels, so it is no longer infectious.
Where to get tested in Federal Way:
• Planned Parenthood: 800-769-0045
• Health Point: 253-874-7634
• King County Public Health: 206-477-6800
• Sea Mar Community Health Center: 206-763-5277
Amy Johnson is a trainer and educator in the Pacific Northwest. She specializes in sexuality education and promoting safe and healthy sexuality culture in faith communities. All opinions are her own. She can be reached at comments@diligentjoy.com.
