In my Humble opinion
After talking with people both on and off the record, I think that people are somewhat more educated about HIV/AIDS. We have come a long way from the 80's when specific populations (men who have sex with men, and drug addicts) where contracting the disease. Modern medicine has given us an understanding of how it works. The medication out there can keep the virus well maintained.
Socially, I would say there is still a stigma. I think it is less strong because people are more accepting of homosexuality and HIV/AIDS is more understood now, but it is not socially acceptable to have or even talk about it. People seem uncomfortable when I mention it and when I went to get tested after working at an AIDS home for a while, I got very judgmental looks( I thought I was being responsible... thanks for assuming I am a slut nurse lady). That said, our generation seems more accepting but also very removed from the disease. Most people thought of the handful of famous people with HIV/AIDS or Africa. Yes, Africa has a huge problem with HIV/AIDS but the problem is global. I think general knowledge could be improved. In school I was taught all about STDs using scare tactics. I was shown grotesc pictures of what Herpes and similar problems look like. No one ever dressed what happens if you get one of them. Obviously you should aim to avoid that, but the reality is that people have STDs and you could get one. What then? You don't magically disappear. By ignoring the reality that some people will end up with an STD educators further the stigma surrounding HIV and other STDs.
In summary, stigma seems less aggressive but still present, general public lacking in education, and no one wants to talk about what happens if you end up with HIV/AIDS.
For examples of the scare tactics click here
Socially, I would say there is still a stigma. I think it is less strong because people are more accepting of homosexuality and HIV/AIDS is more understood now, but it is not socially acceptable to have or even talk about it. People seem uncomfortable when I mention it and when I went to get tested after working at an AIDS home for a while, I got very judgmental looks( I thought I was being responsible... thanks for assuming I am a slut nurse lady). That said, our generation seems more accepting but also very removed from the disease. Most people thought of the handful of famous people with HIV/AIDS or Africa. Yes, Africa has a huge problem with HIV/AIDS but the problem is global. I think general knowledge could be improved. In school I was taught all about STDs using scare tactics. I was shown grotesc pictures of what Herpes and similar problems look like. No one ever dressed what happens if you get one of them. Obviously you should aim to avoid that, but the reality is that people have STDs and you could get one. What then? You don't magically disappear. By ignoring the reality that some people will end up with an STD educators further the stigma surrounding HIV and other STDs.
In summary, stigma seems less aggressive but still present, general public lacking in education, and no one wants to talk about what happens if you end up with HIV/AIDS.
For examples of the scare tactics click here
Nation wide
There are more and more blogs and stories of people living happy, healthy lives despite their HIV status. HIV is no longer a death sentence. With proper intervention and treatment a person can lead a regular life. There are even ways to minimize the risk of spreading the disease to off spring.
A love story involving a woman with HIV
Hot Mess
A blog- this is the story of a white female who contracts HIV in Zambia during her Peace Corps placement
No going back, there is only forward
An article and photo movement
http://thegavoice.com/dire-hiv-numbers-demand-new-responses-for-gay-men/
A love story involving a woman with HIV
Hot Mess
A blog- this is the story of a white female who contracts HIV in Zambia during her Peace Corps placement
No going back, there is only forward
An article and photo movement
http://thegavoice.com/dire-hiv-numbers-demand-new-responses-for-gay-men/