STD – Stigma Transmits Discrimination
As quoted on the Avert website, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said: “Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. …It is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world.”
Richard Erven, of the Dorset’s leading HIV organisation, Body Positive, said it is very important for HIV positive people to be protected against any discrimination so that they can recover quickly from their traumatic situation. He said: “Confidentiality is vital because individuals need to know that no one is going to discover that they have HIV unless they themselves decide to tell them."
Mr Erven, who admitted having dealt with newly diagnosed people who confessed that they have not yet revealed to anyone that they are HIV positive, said their reaction is due to the fear of being discrimininated or isolated from the society.
It’s none of your business
So given the fact that the stigma attached to HIV is an issue still going on almost everywhere in the UK, for some people secrecy is the only way to stay out of trouble. Therefore they apparently have a reason to keep their business to themselves.
Andy Hilton, a 48-year-old HIV positive man from the North West of England, said: “I would feel better for everyone if we didn’t have to be quite so secretive. People in general don’t quite talk about their personal health with neighbours and other people they meet.
“If I had Diabetes I wouldn’t tell anyone that I met just for the sake of it. But then I wouldn’t be maybe quite so secretive about it. So I think HIV is more difficult and it would clearly be better if we didn’t have to be so secretive about it.”