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David, I cannot thank you enough for this. I have been poz now for a year, and the 1 year reminder was this week. I have been avoiding the fact that I have a condition, because I have been thinking I have this disease. The fact that Diabetes is more accepted in society over hiv angers me each day. I am going through the emotions all over again this year, and looking for advice and wisdom. This blurb is so powerful, I cannot thank you enough, because at the end of the day it is all on how you word things.
Hello David, This is one of the most beautiful pieces that I've read regarding HIV and it inspired me. I am 27 and I was diagnosed when I was 22. But still, I am a happy person.
David, I love this! I tested positive in Feb. 1990. I was 19. Because I learned I was + only a few months after being infected (another term I intensely dislike.... "infected"), and I was a healthy and young (with good health insurance and access to healthcare -- both of which I know so many others in our situation don't have), I was told that for me, having HIV would be a chronic condition, not a fatal illness. I was told I would need to monitor and manage it, but that it was absolutely not a death sentence. Being told that from the get-go set the tone for everything after that. I'm 42 now, still healthy, and have never considered having HIV as anything other than a "condition." Thank you for affirming that!
Drew ( now lives Sydney, Australia)
This stigma and use of "language" I argue has also led to an increase in Criminalization of Transmission. More people in the United States die of Hep C than HIV/AIDS...yet more and more Positive people are being pushed into prison. Many of the HIV Specific laws in numerous states have not caught up with medical science. If your HIV +, on HAART, have undetetable Viral Load and still wear a condom...you can still be charged and placed in prison. Even if transmission DOES NOT OCCUR !!! Its so important to disclose your HIV Status not only to prevent being charged and placed in prison but its also important to END STIGMA And this article is one of many which is helping to breakdown HIV/AIDS Stigma. AIDS ACTIVISM has indeed changed sine the 1980's. But I argue that the increased issue of Criminalization of HIV Transmission is concerning. Lets turn this concern into ACTION. Lets make Larry Kramer and the "old guard" of AIDS ACTIVISM proud. Drew xxoo
September 6, 2012