Elinor McNamee-Annett: You may not be HIV-positive, but here’s why you should care

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      I grew up in a privileged white family, with loving parents who encouraged me to be outspoken about my passions. I am pursuing an education at a well-established university, and have an active social and professional life.

      Earlier this year, I got tested for HIV.

      Not because a doctor told me to, or because I feared the test might be positive. I chose to do so because it was my way of keeping HIV/AIDS relevant and to reject the stigma associated with getting tested. Even though you may not be infected, by putting HIV/AIDS on the back-burner, you are perpetuating that stigma.

      In the '80s and '90s, the world witnessed a global epidemic of HIV fear. Since then, public awareness and prevention has declined significantly, especially in North America. Of course there are many dedicated people working in HIV prevention, education, and research. Yet what is ultimately lacking is the sense of urgency of the late 20th century. Today we know much more about the disease, and as a result we don’t see it as such a pressing concern.

      Despite our best efforts to make HIV an issue of the past, 34 million people still live with the disease worldwideroughly the population of Canada. Even more worrying is that the World Health Organization puts the total number of people tested in one year (2010) for HIV at 95 million. That works out to approximately one percent of the global population.

      Let that sink in for a moment: one out of every hundred people in the world is being tested annually for an incurable disease that has killed millions.

      Surprised? It gets worse. Terrible and archaic misconceptions still circulate publicly about the disease. At an HIV/AIDS workshop I recently facilitated for youth, I was surprised to learn that many of them still think it is primarily a problem for gay men or intravenous drug users. Some put it as far away as Africa. Occasionally I even hear "AIDS" used as an insult, insinuating uncleanliness or inferiority.

      When I was tested last year, I made a point of letting my friends and family know. Almost everyone reacted with worry and shock: Is something wrong? Did you make a mistake? Surely you’re not in the demographic who should be getting tested?

      But I am. And so are you.

      HIV is indiscriminate, and we need to be indiscriminate with our response. We must recognize the stigma, and refuse to let the shaming and blaming continue.

      They took a blood test. I waited for the results. I felt scared and ashamed.

      Taking the test, I knew it was highly unlikely that I had contracted HIV, and yet I still felt stigmatized. Just that brief moment helps explain why so few people get tested. We should see HIV testing as an opportunity to encourage, support, and educate. By getting tested, we not only create awareness, we also make it acceptable to talk openly about HIV/AIDS in a serious and meaningful way again.

      December 1 is the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and we need to take this opportunity to ensure that HIV/AIDS remains on society’s radar. We need to acknowledge and then defy the stigma. Let’s start by getting tested. And while you’re at it, bring a friend.

      For more information on getting tested in Vancouver, go to the AIDS Vancouver website.

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