July 21st is Zero HIV Stigma Day which is a day set aside to raise awareness and dispel myths and rumors about HIV which can lead to stigma. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stigma is “negative attitudes and beliefs about people with HIV. It is the prejudice that come with labeling an individual as part of a group that is believed to be socially unacceptable.”
There are some great resources that you can refer to regarding HIV stigma. Here are a few:
· The CDC’s page called “HIV Stigma and Discrimination: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-stigma/index.html
· A handy HIV Stigma Fact Sheet put out by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/library/stop-hiv-stigma/fact-sheets/cdc-lsht-stigma-factsheet.pdf
· Information on HIV-related stigma from the Center for HIV Law and Policy: https://www.hivlawandpolicy.org/issues/stigma
· A statement regarding Zero HIV Stigma Day from the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Af4dc9989-0612-3e76-b432-ab746086942a
· LGBTQ+ State of Emergency notice from the Human Rights Campaign https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/for-the-first-time-ever-human-rights-campaign-officially-declares-state-of-emergency-for-lgbtq-americans-issues-national-warning-and-guidebook-to-ensure-safety-for-lgbtq-residents-and-travelers
If you are interested in supporting and promoting Zero HIV Stigma Day, consider using the hashtag #ZeroHIVStigmaDay when referring to this day on social media. You can also find other resources that you can use on social media to promote this day: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y1y7zdmg233nsmx/AABALuyWpDwiO1zYDPrHnzfRa?dl=0
The importance of banding together to fight against HIV-related stigma cannot be overstated. Stigma is often rooted in ignorance and fear. If we raise awareness of this important topic, perhaps we can ultimately eradicate this stigma and enable those impacted by HIV and AIDS the ability to live their lives in peace and with the dignity they deserve.
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