In a powerful op-ed written for Gay Star News, openly out Australian bobsledder Simon Dunn muses about the importance of allies when it comes to erasing the stigma of HIV.
“If I can encourage those who are like I was in my early 20s to educate themselves,” he writes, “perhaps one day the miseducation associated with HIV will be a distant memory.”
Related: Gay bobsledder Simon Dunn addresses THAT photo of him
By working to overcome his lack of knowledge on the subject, he no sees that it’s “completely untrue that people living with HIV can’t live full lives. In fact, we now know people diagnosed with HIV on effective treatment can’t pass it on.”
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He also emphasizes that HIV isn’t something that only impacts gay men. It’s something “that affects people of all backgrounds across the globe.”
“It’s just that my community has shouldered a huge amount of the burden of the epidemic. This puts us in a powerful position to be the champions and to continue to overcome stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS through impactful education efforts.
That’s why I wear my red ribbon on World AIDS Day.”
The whole piece, which deserves to be read in its entirety, can be viewed here.
Creamsicle
It’s great that Queerty is getting out the message that someone managing their meds and regularly testing undetectable is physically incapable of transmitting HIV. When combined with safe sex practices, we could eradicate the virus within a generation. Getting HIV meds into the hands of the extremely poor is the real challenge now. The HIV/AIDS crisis now has a humane technical solution, but is suffering from a lack of economic will.
ChrisK
I agree that it can happen but of coarse slowed down with the current administration and Republican Congress in charge. Hopefully that will change soon.
throwslikeagirl
I’m in complete agreement, Creamsicle ( great name, BTW ), but I fail to see why this strong quote from a respected athlete had to be introduced by a huge photo of him in his underwear. Yeah, he’s gorgeous, but we know that and can see his sexy pix on other, less serious posts.
Jaxton
Here’s the best education for those who are truly interested in not becoming victims: stop taking drugs and stop being promiscuous. In other words, stop being a loser.
If you enjoy being a victim, go right ahead and do whatever you want.
Stephen
It’s great to go from nothing offered and a name ARC TO AZT. The latter I flushed down the toilet after a year in bed unable to walk 2 blocks to modern drugs without side effects. Then undetectable that makes it non transferable. Unfortunately at under 60 CD4 counts my undetectable status leaves me with no energy, not able to have sex. And recent diagnosis of CPOD. Congestive Pulmonary Obstructive Disease. There is no cure for this disease. After over 28 years HIV positive, the struggle seemed surmountable. Now I am grateful for what I have done within the experience of HIV. AND I AM EXHAUSTED! Grateful, and exhausted.