Monkey's

There are articles about amazing, wondrous, simply stupendous people living with HIV.  That's a sideways compliment.  Look they're doing that & they have a virus.  Would it be so astounding if they're weren't +?  Even if it would be, were these people incredible types before their diagnosis?  Even if they did become remarkable after contracting the virus, how many other + people are living normal or substandard lives? 

I'm not trying to diminish their accomplishments.  But, they aren't the norm & it most likely won't be other's experiences living with HIV.  An example, my roomie & I love, American Ninja Warrior.  It's still highly male today, but the number of women in the competition is growing.  However, whenever they make it through a challenge, it's treated as if watching a  trained monkey perform a trick.    Did the announcers do this to be sexist?  I doubt it it.  They just weren't used to seeing female athletes do these things.  So, instead of simply reporting the challenge like they would with men, they treated it like a circus performance & fluffed it up.

If you do something that under other circumstances or for other people would be considered normal or adequate, it doesn't make it more so just because of your gender or the fact you happen to be HIV+.   If the goal is to treat people living with HIV like normal, then stop treating them as if they're extraordinary, for the better or worse.  They're people who  just happened to have a virus.

That's all for now.

Cya...