The Origin of HIV/AIDS Stigma and How to End It

published on September 26, 2013 in Huffingtonpost

Illnesses have always been stigmatized. Even the person who ventures into the office with a head cold is ostracized by the others. We jokingly cross our arms to ward off any germs that may be airborne, and then we quickly find a pump sanitizer so that we can lather our hands back to cleanliness. Most of us can deal with a cold and the ostracism that comes with it.

There are more serious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, that come with cultural stigma attached to them. I think I was in the fourth grade when I was introduced to the Old Testament. "I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases, and a fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength," Leviticus 26:14-30 says, illustrating the power of the Almighty. The message is not at all subtle. I lived in a world where God could make me sick if I disobeyed Him or failed in some way to measure up. If you look at other ancient scriptures, the message is roughly the same.

Gary Nelson
Vancouver Sun
Read More

View the full article >>

Tags:

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.