STIGMA what stigma?

perception that there is more stigmatisation out there than there actually is. Some of the HIV prevention campaigns say things like: ’You mustn’t catch HIV, it’s a terrible thing’ and

positive people can take that sense of rejection on board.
“A lot of stigma, whether it’s racism or HIV-related, is about self-acceptance,” says GMFA’s Andrew McDonald. “I don’t remember suffering any obvious discrimination except for not getting life insurance. It’s a disease, for God’s sake, it’s not a lifestyle. It doesn’t help me to know if an MP or celebrity is HIV positive. I think we all have a right to privacy.
“I came out as gay when I was 18,” Andrew continues. “I had friends who were

homophobic and parents who didn’t understand and over the years I’ve educated them. Now my friends go to gay bars and my parents have no problem. The same thing is true about HIV. The more I talk to people about it the more comfortable they are. If anyone says something offensive I’ll put them right. I’m not the kind of person who stands outside the Houses of Parliament but I do try and make a difference in people around me.”
“I don’t have a choice about my sexuality,” says James, “but I believe that some people have to be open about their sexuality and their HIV, in order to upset the status quo. A few years ago at GMFA we ran a campaign with ‘+ve’ T-shirts and badges. I walked around Soho and at Gay Pride and had no problems. People came up to me and said ‘I think that’s fantastic you wear that, I wish I could’. I don’t think I ever had a negative response.”
“The campaign was about giving people a choice,” says Matthew, adding: “Most positive gay men have moved on with their lives. HIV is part of their lives. It’s shit and they wouldn’t wish it on anyone else but it’s just a part of their lives, not all of their lives.
“But people with HIV are still rejected because of their status. It can have a very negative impact on their self-esteem, sex lives and relationships.”
“It’s important that we give an accurate reflection of what it’s like to be positive,” Andrew argues, “but

at the same time don’t scare gay men so they won’t get tested.
“I’ve been positive for 12 years and when I was diagnosed, I was told I only had two years to