Sudbury's Eric Cashmore has seen firsthand the stigma HIV-positive people continue to face in our society.
Cashmore, the gay men's education sexual health co-ordinator with Réseau ACCESS Network, has received hate mail and been physically assaulted for being open about his HIV-positive status.
He said he was once at a party where he was talking about his job, and someone overheard him disclose his HIV status.
“They made a scene of taking all the glasses and throwing them all out and kicking me out very publicly at this very large event,” he said.
But HIV cannot be transmitted by sharing a glass or food with someone who has the virus.
Cashmore said he still sees two extremes in opinions when he discloses he is HIV-positive.
The first is people who believe HIV is still a death sentence, as it was in the 1970s and 1980s when there were no medications available to extend an HIV-positive person's lifespan.
The second group believes being HIV-positive today isn't a big deal due to the treatments available to curtail the virus.
But there is still not cure for HIV, although treatments can now extend the life expectantcy of a young person with HIV to their early 70s.
To help fight the stigma attached to HIV, Réseau ACCESS Network has launched its annual Bundle Up in Red campaign to promote HIV awareness.
Volunteers will distribute red scarves around the city, which will also include pamphlets with information about HIV.
During a ceremony at Tom Davies Square Monday morning, City of Greater Sudbury Deputy Mayor Al Sizer proclaimed the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 HIV Awareness Week in the city.
Sizer encouraged Sudburians to wear red during the week and help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
According to Canada’s AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 21 per cent of HIV-positive Canadians don't know their status. The earlier a person is diagnosed with HIV the better their outcomes.
