FEAR eats the soul

this person; Is this person going to benefit from me telling them?’
Although, I believe that information is the only way to reduce

stigma around HIV, I don’t think it will ever be eradicated. Even if they find a vaccine for it. Because of the mode of transmission - through sex and drug use primarily - it will never be accepted like cancer or other conditions. That’s my own feeling.”

Norah told her young son’s school about his HIV, with detrimental results:
"When my five-year old boy joined primary school, I decided to tell the school his status because he had been ill with HIV-related illnesses. It was best that the teachers knew so they could look out for him. I was really worried about telling them. Anyway I told the Deputy Head teacher - the Head was away that day - and I could see that her reaction was bad. Later that evening - at 7pm after school hours - I got a call saying that she’d talked to other people about it and I had to take my boy out of school until they had got some advice. She’d obviously panicked. Soon after, when the Head teacher returned, I was called and told I could bring my son back to school. The Head was very apologetic, but obviously the school had no policy on HIV.
I think I did the wrong thing by telling the school about my son. They treat him differently to the other kids and every time he’s coughing they panic. The teachers call me in all the time. The other children are fine with him though. I worry I may have to move him to another school."

Allan, white heterosexual male has never felt prejudiced even when it comes to having sex; he says people like being set straight:
“In sex, well, no I’ve never experienced any stigma about my HIV, quite the opposite - I got off with a woman at a party in Leeds, even though my tattoos (red ribbons) were on full display and it wasn’t a problem at all. My family have been brilliant, although I’ll never forget my brother’s initial reaction when I told him of my diagnosis: “Can I have your car?” But then, I’m very open about my status and I can say that in more than three years I’ve never personally

encountered any kind of prejudice whatsoever. Some ignorance of the subject, yes, but I blame that on the government and the media. Most people are happy to have their crooked ideas set straight.”