I have to say that writing this blog was an educational and enlightening experience. I am glad to have had the opportunity to connect with people this way. It was a chance to make connections that are not always apparent to some of us. Hopefully we can continue to talk and challenge each other around the issue of stigma within our various communities.
I think the biggest fight we have on our hands is around laws that criminalize HIV transmission and exposure. This is scary stuff folks!
Criminalization is being driven in some circles by the real need to address important concerns about the continual quick spread of HIV in many countries, along with ongoing prevention methods not working as we would like. Yes, these are actual concerns and do need to be address. There are also some groups that have begun to advocate for criminalization in response to the serious occurrence of women being infected with HIV through sexual violence.
In actuality it is doubtful that criminalization will prevent new infections or reduce women’s exposure to HIV. In reality, it may do more harm than good and impact in a negative manner their health and human rights.
Criminalization is not an appropriate way to deal with this. Criminal charges do nothing to stop the infections of HIV but instead take away resources and energy from initiatives that actually work in reducing transmission.
It is good to see that Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) and the Canadian HIV Legal network are doing public forums in many cities to look at this issue.
I am simply amazed that issues around race, sexism, transphobia and homophobia have been largely left out of the debate in most circles. If we look at who is actually getting charged under these laws in Canada it brings a lot in to question around a multitude of factors about disclosure.
Let’s get real people and talk about the fact that so many people out there do not even know their status.
I hope that we can continue to fight, and give each other support and encouragement in these growing conservative times. Folks who assume that they are HIV negative and are quick to point fingers, should realized that about 40% of people are infected and do not know it. Is this not a real issue to be addressing.