Let's Talk About It Magazine - Faith, Grace & Stigma

The stigma of HIV comes from outdated beliefs and shows up in many different forms. Throughout these pages, you will learn how some comments from the members of the faith community have impacted these women’s lives. These comments were based on outdated beliefs, including the idea that only certain groups of people can contract HIV because of their lifestyle or choices they have made in the past. The attitude that people deserve to contract HIV affects women’s lives as well as their self-esteem. Stigmatization makes it difficult for people to get tested or start treatment. However, these misconceptions have not lessened or devalued these women’s faith.