Charlie Sheen’s public disclosure of his HIV status, while producing some of the predictable backlash and stigmatizing comments we have come to expect, has also presented a fantastic opportunity to educate the general public about the current science concerning HIV, including treatments, treatment as prevention and the reality of transmission risks, as well as HIV criminalization.
Let’s face it–when it comes to HIV, an awful lot of people are stuck in the ’80s and ’90s. Just take a look at the tabloids or the comments sections on mainstream media articles about HIV. Many people still consider an HIV diagnosis a death sentence (and use HIV/AIDS interchangeably); they grossly exaggerate the actual risks of transmission; they have little to no understanding of the efficacy of current medications; they do not realize that adherence to medication makes transmission next to impossible–even without condoms.
And that’s dangerous. It perpetuates stigma around HIV, which, aside from being damaging to people living with HIV, discourages many from being tested or seeking treatment. That same stigma and lack of education around current science leads to the prosecution of people living with HIV even in cases where no transmission occurred or was even possible, and can even fuel violence (look what happened to Cicely Bolden when she disclosed to her partner–he claimed to have killed her because a) having already had condomless sex with her, he must have acquired HIV; and b) assuming he had acquired HIV, it meant he was going to die soon).
However you feel about Charlie Sheen as an actor or a person, the public attention his disclosure has drawn is the perfect opportunity to educate the public. That’s a win-win for people living with HIV and for those at risk of acquiring HIV. Share the video above, the infographic below and the articles linked below–provided by TheBody.com–on social media and by email with your friends, family, coworkers, community and anyone else who might need some education.
Five Ways to Stay Strong: How Charlie Sheen’s Disclosure Affects People Living With HIV In the wake of Sheen’s disclosure, hyperbolic headlines can trigger old, familiar feelings of fear and shame. From Dr. David Fawcett, a mental health therapist who has been living with HIV since 1988, here’s vital advice on how people with HIV can stay strong when stigma flares.
Fact-Checking Charlie Sheen’s HIV Disclosure Interview Warren Tong, Senior Science Editor at TheBody.com, goes point-by-point to bring scientific accuracy to Matt Lauer’s interview of Charlie Sheen and his physician on the Today Show.
Charlie Sheen Deserves Your Scorn, but Not Because He Has HIV “Please keep this in mind: The jokes you make about Charlie Sheen won’t hurt him. He’s a super wealthy celebrity in a culture that worships those. But most people living with HIV don’t have those advantages, and the stigmatizing jokes and misinformation can and do hurt them.”
LISTICLE: 12 Ways to Give HIV Stigma a Well-Deserved Side Eye An engaging set of GIFs of iconic female celebrities accompanies an insightful list of arguments to counter HIV stigma in daily life.
VIDEO: Aaron Laxton: Overcoming Depression and Drug Use, Living Boldly with HIV After a traumatic childhood, Aaron Laxton had to overcome a military discharge, depression and drug use to come to terms with his HIV diagnosis. Now a popular video blogger and spokesperson, he lives a healthy and vibrant life with his HIV-negative partner Philip and works with homeless veterans facing similar challenges. In this immersive video, Aaron and Philip share their story.
HIV Prevention Portal The best of the Web on HIV prevention, with features, infographics, video and links to a wealth of content.
TheBody.com’s “Ask the Experts” Forums For decades, TheBody.com has been a reliable and accessible resource for people seeking clear answers about HIV. Whether asking about the risk of a personal encounter to finding the best possible treatment to stay healthy when living with HIV or more, our experts are on the ready to answer a myriad of concerns and queries.
Personal Stories of People Affected by HIV The real life stories of people with HIV are a source of support for others, and a counterbalance to misinformation, stigma and fear.
And here are some more good articles about HIV in the wake of the Charlie Sheen disclosure:
Why an HIV Diagnosis Is Treated Like a Crime in Most U.S. States (The Daily Dot) A great article about HIV criminalization laws and why they are ineffective at preventing the spread of HIV while perpetuating stigma.
Charlie Sheen and Celebrity HIV Status (The Feminist Wire) Great perspective on why Charlie Sheen’s disclosure should not distract from the very real intersectional issues facing so many people living with HIV.
People Are Terrified of Sex (The Atlantic) Insightful article examining the particular stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Charlie Sheen’s Diagnosis Offers Teachable Moment (USA Today) A solid look at various angles of the disclosure and the ensuing conversation around HIV.
What It’s Like to Live with HIV/AIDS Today (video) – (CNN Headline News) Great interview with HIV advocates.
And here are some concrete ways reporters, bloggers and anyone speaking in or through the media can avoid stigmatizing HIV.
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