What can I do?

“I canʼt do anything to change the feelings of a community? No one will listen to me...Iʼm nobody I canʼt change the way people think”

Donʼt be fooled into thinking you canʼt make a change. There are simple things that you can do in your community and amongst friends and family that can make a huge difference whether you are HIV-positive or HIV-negative.

• Join the Why Stand campaign by submitting your reason here.
• Share our website on Facebook, and help educate your friends.
• Break the silence surrounding HIV stigma in our community. Share the facts with people, and talk about your experiences and concerns about HIV with friends and family.
• Treat those with HIV as you would treat anyone else: with respect, empathy, & compassion.
• Educate yourself about HIV and HIV prevention.
• Practice safe sex, and talk with your partners regarding their status.
• Donʼt be a silent witness while others are being stigmatized or slandered.
• Stand up and defend those that would try and stigmatize people living with HIV.
• Get tested and encourage others to get tested as well. By sharing your status with the community, you can help reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and knowing your status.
• Start volunteering at a local HIV organization. Search for organizations in your area.
• If you know someone who is HIV+, make an effort to be there and support him or her.

Are there other things you can think of to fight HIV stigma? Submit your ideas here.