Hmmm
This is kind of a depressing entry but anyway...
I was watching (of course I was) the episode of the Golden Girls where Rose fears that she may have been infected with HIV and has to be tested at the hospital, where she is asked if she wants to give a fake name. Blanche explains to her that fake names are necessary because a lot of people who test positive for the virus often face job, employment or general social discrimination. It got me thinking- that was in 1989/1990, nearly twenty years ago, and what has really changed? Since then, antiretroviral medications have become available and have done wonders in extending the life and quality of life of people living with HIV. And millions of dollars are available for testing and for other quality of life issues. But there is still such a stigma attached to HIV that I feel like that Golden Girls episode could run today without a single change to that conversation. Which is a sad statement for this country! Not to mention the fact that I was discussing HIV with a young Orlando gentleman last week and he seemed to think that it wasn't a problem anymore or wasn't something to be concerned about. I was in shock. Utter shock. The number of people testing positive in the U.S. each year hasn't decreased since the early/mid 1990s and new communities are pulling into the lead as the most-affected (communities of color, women, young people 15-22, especially young women). It really challenges my ability to hope some days. :-(
Well, great way to start the day. Happy Memorial Day.
Love,
James
I was watching (of course I was) the episode of the Golden Girls where Rose fears that she may have been infected with HIV and has to be tested at the hospital, where she is asked if she wants to give a fake name. Blanche explains to her that fake names are necessary because a lot of people who test positive for the virus often face job, employment or general social discrimination. It got me thinking- that was in 1989/1990, nearly twenty years ago, and what has really changed? Since then, antiretroviral medications have become available and have done wonders in extending the life and quality of life of people living with HIV. And millions of dollars are available for testing and for other quality of life issues. But there is still such a stigma attached to HIV that I feel like that Golden Girls episode could run today without a single change to that conversation. Which is a sad statement for this country! Not to mention the fact that I was discussing HIV with a young Orlando gentleman last week and he seemed to think that it wasn't a problem anymore or wasn't something to be concerned about. I was in shock. Utter shock. The number of people testing positive in the U.S. each year hasn't decreased since the early/mid 1990s and new communities are pulling into the lead as the most-affected (communities of color, women, young people 15-22, especially young women). It really challenges my ability to hope some days. :-(
Well, great way to start the day. Happy Memorial Day.
Love,
James