Our Community’s Visions for HIV.

We asked our Community Advisory Committee, “What is your vision for HIV?” and this is what they said…

“My vision for HIV/AIDS and Black women is to have a society where healthcare is accessible and those who are diagnosed are not stigmatized, where people can participate in the community, have equal opportunities in terms of work and social aspect of life, where one is comfortable speaking of HIV/AIDS without being pointed out and being discriminated against in any way.”

-       A.J.

“My vision for HIV and Black women living with HIV is the ability to achieve living in a positive mindset and acceptance in the society. For HIV and healthcare, my vision is accessibility within the community without any stigmatization or [discrimination] based on racial lines.”

-       Ketty

“My vision for HIV/AIDS in relation to health [is for] every Black woman to access healthcare with ease. It should be affordable, no stigmatization, no discrimination. I wish for a society that provides HIV education on prevention.”

-       Annie

“My vision for Black women living with HIV is for [women] to have the ability to accept themself… The ability to be open to others, to be there and supportive to all. The ability to support other people who are new to HIV, the ability to teach them how to protect themselves from HIV. I would wish to be chosen to teach people how to prevent themselves from being infected with HIV, like how to use PEP and PrEP [and] how to use condoms. And also we shouldn't fear talk[ing] about our HIV status with other people; we should be happy and open to talk[ing] about it and to give other people hope that HIV is like other diseases.”

-       P.S.