AIDS CALGARY


		“Responding to AIDS with blame, or abuse towards people living with AIDS, simply forces the epidemic underground, creating ideal conditions for HIV to spread. The only way of making progress against the epidemic is to replace shame with solidarity, and fear with hope.” - Statement by Peter Piot to Plenary of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban South Africa 5 September 2001 Stigma and discrimination represent a problem bigger than hurt feelings. In the context of HIV/AIDS, they can destroy the quality of one’s life, threaten one’s health and lead to both social, and actual, death. The stigma attached to being HIV positive can lead to disputes with landlords and co-workers which, in turn, can lead to serious discrimination in the form of losing one’s housing or one’s job. The obvious symptoms of such discrimination include poverty, homelessness, isolation, depression and suicide. The less obvious symptoms are barriers to preventing the further spread of HIV, and barriers to providing adequate care, treatment and support. The following charts and tables document the results from our first Human Rights Questionnaire. This questionnaire was filled out by 34 people living with HIV/AIDS who were in attendance at the Expanding Your Horizons Symposium in Nordegg, Alberta in October 2002. The total number of people in attendance at the symposium was 53 making the response rate 64%. Respondents reported having trouble accessing housing, health care, adequate economic support, and pre and post test counselling. They also reported experiencing unfair treatment in their work environment and problems maintaining the confidentiality of their HIV status. Finally, a significant number of respondents had spent time in prison and several reported having difficulty accessing medications and harm reduction materials while they were incarcerated. As these results demonstrate, people living with HIV/AIDS in Alberta experience a significant amount of stigma and discrimination. The harmful effects of such stigma and discrimination must be addressed if we are to create an environment which discourages the spread of HIV and ensures an improved quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. For further information please contact AIDS Calgary at info@aidscalgary.org. View charts and tables.