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Disclosure has its own effects. I lost my job in 2003 but that gave me courage to go public and join the forces in the prevention and advocacy. what ever situation disclosure is a step towards better life in my view.
disclose for a number of reasons....for those like Louganis (millionaire 5 Olympic Gold records) or Michael Johnson (billionaire athlete/entrenpeur) or Arthur Ashe (don't forget bout him-tennis star) it is easy for them, they have nothing to lose...but the average rinky dink Joe/Joette, DO NOT DISCLOSE AT EMPLOYMENT!!! Said it once, said it a thousand times, nothing good will come of this more often than not...even the bloggers at POZ all have professional jobs protected because they work in the field, but there is no laws that will protect the average JOE/JOETTE and the challenges of being found out are discrimination, job loss and grief to name a few!!!
I agree with your statement as when we discuss disclosure of our status we're all going to have different stories. I was in a case where my job was at risk especially when I was on blood thinners for an HIV related issue with my leg. For those who have been on blood thinners, you have to get weekly blood counts to get the right levels which can't always happen based on your work schedule-so imagine having to come up with an excuse each week! But for those who have disclosed it's good to hear your story as it may help others but also I hope through the disclosure articles we see that it's one area of HIV that our paths diverge based on who we are and our experiences.
Okay, as the author stated in the article, everyone's situation is unique and I believe that the area a person lives in has an effect as well. I had a job at a school and I disclosed my status and was fired. Now I've been working at a new job that I've been at for over a year now and luckily my health is excellent but I have chosen not to disclose my status due to my past experience with doing so. All in all, everyone's situation is different.
I believe the choice to disclose to anyone is a personal choice. Since I went public with my status my life has been so much easier. The fear of hiding it was gone. The fear of being ostracized by everyone, never happen. I did not lose my job. I was profiled on my school webpage as a success story. I have spoken in front of groups of 100 plus. I have had nothing awarded to me out of sympathy, but rather courage. I think the stigma associated with the disease still makes it tough for many to have full disclosure, but the more we are honest about our status, the less the stigma (hopefully gone altogether) will be. Its a bridge that needs crossing, like coming out in the 1980's, or being in and interracial relationship during the 1960's.
Thanks for the insigtful article. There is no easy answer, as I myself put it to my family I can either take the time to keep my Dr. appoitments or keep my job. First of all the job is very important to live, however if I don't go to the Dr. I don't get my med's and then I really don't live. I've never disclosed at the work place but have thought of it and that scares me worse than telling my grown children, which was very hard. I keep losing jobs due to the time that I have to take off to attend appoitments as they usually fall in the first 90 days probationary period, and I would never tell someone that I just met and don't have a feel for the company and their work place enviorement and values of privacy. I live in a right to work state and most employers don't care they just want a body in the chair. These have been my experience's.
kidding!!!! NO ONE SHOULD EVER EVER EVER DISCLOSE AT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S WRONG....a he/she transfer exec top dog did at company in midwest and now they fired him/her!!!! NO PRACTICAL REASONS to disclose at work...google....James White, Nicole Thomposon---THEY BOTH WILL TELL U!!! NO NO NO NO !!!
Toni Blair
Yes, everyone's situation is different...but even in major cities where the norm is to be out, be gay, be proud, etc...the social mood is still prevalent that HIV stigma is not in my backyard...there's a whole new attitude exists that whatever happens to the older gays when they get older and no longer viable..same thing exists with the HIV community...it's not enough to say that "I had this for 25 years" or "me for 15 years and still standing" ...coming out at work about this particular condition is a no-no...in my view.
February 21, 2012