Over a million people in the U.S. live with HIV, but what was once a fatal diagnosis has now become a manageable condition. The right medication can bring the virus levels in the body so low that it becomes undetectable and, therefore, untransmittable. The latest scientific findings also show promise of a cure, based on one patient’s experience with a stem cell transplant, which would eliminate the need for lifelong treatment and allow people with HIV to lead full lives again.
While science and medicine have made considerable progress in researching and treating the condition since the early days of the epidemic in the 80s, there is no magic pill for removing the stigma yet. It especially affects queer folks, who face discrimination from the wider society, medical professionals, and even from their own community. Gay and bisexual men of color in particular remain at a greater risk for infection than other groups of the population with access to better healthcare and higher income.
Many misconceptions about transmission, complications, and the lifestyle of HIV-positive people persist from the previous century, further entrenching the stigma. Modern studies proved that HIV can’t be transmitted by casual contact, kissing, or hugging, and it doesn’t inevitably result in AIDS, thanks to scientific advancements. Anyone, regardless of their lifestyle, is susceptible to infection if they don’t use precautions, such as safe sex practices and PrEP.
However, despite the evidence, in a 2021 survey by GLAAD, a significant number of participants expressed discomfort around nurses, doctors, hairdressers, and teachers living with HIV. A similar survey published in the following year highlighted a lack of visibility and inclusion in media: only 1 in 3 participants reported seeing stories about people living with HIV in the last year.
The language used to describe the condition also contributes to the stigma. Someone who doesn’t have HIV is usually referred to as “clean,” implying that someone who does becomes “dirty” or “contaminated.” Hardly anyone uses the same terms in relation to other long-term conditions, such as diabetes or chronic Lyme disease.
In several states, HIV-positive people are required by law to disclose their status to their partners, but openly sharing it on dating apps can limit the pool of potential partners and prompt harassment, and revealing it at a later stage can damage the trust. Both options may lead to rejection, judgment, or aggression, putting an already vulnerable person into a precarious position.
Another major challenge is expenses. The cost of prescriptions can amount to several thousand dollars per month, making a luxury out of a life-saving treatment. Budget cuts, introduced by Trump’s administration in recent years, have been imposing even more stress on the HIV prevention and care system: many non-profits and clinics that offered medication to people from low-income backgrounds lost their grants and had to turn away a large number of patients.
The reality of living with HIV in modern-day America is harsh, but unlike in the 80s, the main obstacle now isn’t the deadliness of the virus but the prejudice in society and withdrawal of financial support by the right-wing government. Without accessible programs and adequate funding, the epidemic may escalate, both in the U.S. and in the rest of the world after Trump’s cuts to PEPFAR. The responsibility to continue the fight for a future free from HIV now more than before lies with communities, volunteers, and independent sponsors.
