HIV Stigma. Check out How to Stop HIV Discrimination.

What can I do to stop HIV stigma?

There are many ways we can all fight HIV stigma in our lives and in our community, whether you are HIV-positive or HIV-negative: ...

There are many ways we can all fight HIV stigma in our lives and in our community, whether you are HIV-positive or HIV-negative:

Break the silence surrounding HIV stigma in our community. Talk about your experiences, fears and concerns about getting HIV or transmitting HIV with friends, a counselor, or a fuck buddy.
Learn how to better deal with and react when a guy tells you he has HIV.
Take responsibility for the prevention of HIV. The prevention of HIV is a responsibility that all gay men share - HIV-positive, HIV-negative and HIV status unknown.
Challenge attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that contribute to HIV stigma. Don't be a silent witness to it when it happens around you.
Avoid using language that overtly stigmatizes others.
Treat guys with HIV as you would treat anyone else: with respect, empathy, and compassion.
Get informed about how to protect yourself from HIV and be confident in that knowledge. We know how to prevent HIV.
If you have difficulty playing safe, take charge of your sexual health and get the help you need to ensure you do not get infected with or transmit HIV.

Are there other things you can think of to fight HIV stigma?

Let us know by interacting with one of our campaign online facilitators or by participating in one of our live online discussions.

Do I have to have sex with HIV-positive men to fight HIV stigma?

No, of course not. Each of us has the right to decide whom we want to have sex with. However, ...

No, of course not. Each of us has the right to decide whom we want to have sex with. However, HIV-negative guys who are sexually active should realize they are very likely having sex with HIV-positive guys and that that is okay. You can have sex with HIV-positive guys and avoid HIV transmission. You just need to play safe.

Realistically, a lot of the time that we have sex we don't talk about HIV. The problem is that we expect HIV-positive guys to tell us they have HIV (and the law requires disclosure when there is a significant risk of HIV transmission during sex). But, when HIV-positive guys 'do the right thing' we often reject them. At the same time, many of us are okay to have sex with guys without any discussion of HIV.

This campaign is intended to raise awareness about HIV stigma and one of the ways that HIV stigma lives in the gay community is during those sexual moments.

In a sexual situation, how should I react to someone who has just disclosed that they are HIV- positive?

Think about how you would feel if you were in his shoes. How would you want someone to react? ...

Think about how you would feel if you were in his shoes. How would you want someone to react?
Thank him for being honest and having the courage to tell you. It is very difficult to tell someone you have HIV, especially in a sexual situation.
Talk about the kind of sex you enjoy and want to have. If your comfort level changes from when you have sex with guys whose HIV status you do not know, you may need to revisit your knowledge of safer sex and your comfort with this information.
Ask him what kind of sex he enjoys and wants to have. He needs to think about his risk for sexually transmitted infections too.
Don't be pressured into any kind of sex you are not comfortable with and don't pressure him. Good sex that is comfortable and safe is part of taking care of each other.
Have good, hot, fun, safe, fabulous sex!

I am afraid of having sex with HIV-positive guys. Is this wrong?

No, many HIV-negative guys experience fear around getting infected with HIV. It makes sense! ...

No, many HIV-negative guys experience fear around getting infected with HIV. It makes sense! And, the desire to remain HIV-negative is healthy. But, if you are feeling overcome by fear or find that you are tired of being afraid, your fear of HIV may be out of proportion to the real risk. With safer sex, your risk for HIV is no greater than many everyday risks we take in life. So, if you are experiencing a lot of fear around HIV, consider getting some help to reduce that fear to a more realistic level. You can have sex with HIV-positive guys and avoid HIV.

How can I reduce my anxiety about having sex with HIV-positive men?

There are many ways you can reduce your anxiety. Try ...

Talking to HIV-negative guys who have a partner or boyfriend who is HIV-positive. Likely, they can relate to the fear of getting HIV and have worked through some of that fear to a more realistic level.
Talking to a counselor or HIV educator at your local community AIDS organization. They can help you to assess your knowledge around safer sex and to talk about the fear you are feeling around HIV.
Trusting the knowledge we have gained around safer sex. We have good, reliable information about how to protect ourselves from HIV during sex. Find out how to protect yourself during the sex that you enjoy. Then, enjoy it!