HIV Who...

 

For too long Americans have held the attitude HIV is a Gay thing.  Although in the States, HIV may be more commonly spread via male on male sexacts, that doesn't make it Gay.  Many of those men do not consider themselves gay.  Many are trans, bi or opportunists.   This is also leaves out the the IV drug use.

This may be true in the US, but not elsewhere.   African numbers are usually higher with women.  The last stats I saw, stated 80% of new cases in the area were with female.  In Africa, HIV is a very hetero thing.  

What it actually notes is the spread of the virus from the dominant culture to a less powered section of the population.   It's highly likely HIV was originally spread by travelling men who were sexually active & opportunistic.  Little of this matters now.   The focus should be awareness, prevention & treatment.

Cya...

Attitudes...

 

I hear conversations about people being worried about what others are going to think of them.  If someone  is going to think less of you because of something you did that you had little choice in, they don't hold you high regard in the beginning.  Live for yourself.  Do what you can live with & deal with the fallout.  It's not their life.

In the same vein, some people say they're proud to tell of their HIV+ status.  While you shouldn't be ashamed of being +, what's to be proud about.  You  contracted a virus.  That's like saying, I'm proud of my flu this season.

There are articles about HIV being 40+ & how we need to do more about stigma.   No, we  don't.  Stop  wasting time on that.  If people, after 4 decades of awareness,  are going to be judgey about being HIV+, nothing will ever change  them.  It was never about HIV.  It was about power & wanting to put others down.

Attitudes are just that, attitudes.  Sometimes people change theirs, but it's rare & up to them.  If they have available information & they persist in their beliefs, you'll never change them.  You are only responsible for you & your actions.  Let it be & move on to things you can impact.

Cya...