The word ‘stigma’ is starting to lose all meaning to me as it is repeated over and over again at each session of each day of the AIDS Conference. A huge issue around the AIDS fight is combatting the spread of stigma, which marginalizes and silences those who are infected. On CBC radio this morning, one newscaster related that twenty years ago when he conducted an interview with an HIV-positive person, people refused to even enter the control room on the other side of the glass for fear of contracting AIDS. While this is an extremely grotesque form of it, like all stigma, this behaviour arose from ignorance.
Stigma comes in many forms, and is an effective way of shaming people in a way that is completely irrational, as often the cause for being stigmatized is beyond the person’s control. No one chooses their skin colour, their gender, or to be HIV-positive. No one deserves to be criticized or victimized because of these things.
One very positive initiative that has come of the battle against stigma is visible at the conference this week: a t-shirt that reads “HIV POSITIVE” is available to all, regardless of their status. The beauty of the message on the clothing also lies in the double entendre, that whether the person is HIV positive or positive about HIV, they should not have to be afraid to be loud and proud.