5 things you can do or learn to help “End the Stigma”:
1) Undetectable = Untransmittable or U=U
If an HIV+ persons viral load count comes back that they are undetectable (so few copies of the virus exist that they cannot be detected by tests) they cannot transmit HIV! Period!
Their antiretroviral regimen has successfully suppressed the HIV virus to a point where it cannot spread.
2) Stop calling yourself clean!!!
The word “clean” suggests that an HIV-positive is unclean, aka dirty. It’s the idea that you can’t touch them or show any kind of intimacy, otherwise you’ll also become infected with the virus. It’s no coincidence that the terms “unclean” and “untouchable” are used both in caste systems and employment to denigrate HIV-people. Also stop using DDF/Drug and Disease Free.
3) Know that you can ONLY contract HIV from blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. These have to enter via a mucous membrane (mouth, anus, vagina) or break in the skin.
Further, correct people when they say lies such as “you can get it from spit or [other fluid]”, to help stop the spread of inaccurate information.
4) Stop choosing partners based on their status.
It’s impossible to know the status of each and every person you sleep with. It’s as easy to type “neg” as it is to type “poz” in your profile, so tossing someone aside because of their status doesn’t make sex risk-free or reduce the risk. All you do is convince yourself you’re making a smart choice, when in reality you are making a blind one.
5) Protect yourself before you go play
Majority of new HIV infections happen from people who didn’t know that they’re living with HIV. Knowing your status by getting tested regularly is the best way to start determining what practicing safer sex looks like for you. Whether this means using condoms, taking PrEP everyday, having non penetrative sex, etc.
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