In addition to the distress they cause, stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention.
For example, HIV prejudice prevents people who live with HIV from publicly acknowledging their HIV status. People with, or suspected of having HIV, may be turned away from health care services, denied housing and employment, shunned by their friends and colleagues, turned down for insurance coverage or refused entry into foreign countries. In some cases, they may be evicted from home by their families, left by their partners, and suffer physical violence or even murder.
The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS often extends to the children of those who are HIV positive, placing a huge emotional burden on children who may also have to cope with death of their parent(s) from AIDS. Some groups of people, for example gay men and people of Black African origin, experience multiple prejudice and discrimination based on both their HIV status and their ethnicity and/or sexuality.
Organisations working on HIV/ AIDS
For your local and national HIV/ AIDS support groups and organisations please see our What's in my Area section. Check the Nationwide page for those charities and services which work on a nationwide basis.
THT Direct
Run by the charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, THT Direct can give support, advice and information on matters relating to HIV and sexual health. Advisers can provide emotional support and can direct you to services local to you across the UK. They can also respond to enquiries relating to: HIV testing and diagnosis, contraception, STI screening, benefits, housing, discrimination relating to HIV status, and immigration.
Call THT Direct on: 0845 1221 200 from 10 till 10 weekdays and from 12 till 6 weekends.
Email them on info@tht.org.uk.
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