No one should be making fun of Charlie Sheen's recent confession. Regardless of what you think of his behavior, he has HIV. I don't know him, but I assume that he has the funds and support system to help him through this. However, MANY people don't. MANY people are in silence. Negative reactions are what keep the awful stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS alive. It is NOT a "promiscuous" disease or something that only affects people who sleep with others of the same sex. In fact, 1 in 8 people in the U.S. have HIV and DO NOT KNOW IT. To break it down, this means that your co-worker, friend, family member, the person you sit next to on the train, or YOU could have the virus. The only way to know is to GET TESTED. HIV is not a death sentence. People live full and productive lives with HIV. They have happy and healthy relationships with HIV. But you HAVE to KNOW YOUR STATUS. We have to dispel the myths around HIV and get educated. Stop passing judgement. Talk about sex with your friends, your children, your partners, your church. Please make your sexual health a part of your overall health. There are many free and low cost resources in many communities year round. Utilize safer sex practices, ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR PARTNERS, and GET TESTED. We gotta know what our bodies are doing y'all. Get some knowledge so we can break the stigma.
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jaaliSexy people rock. Archives
August 2017
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