Recalibrate the Red-Ribboned Stigma

The color red is one of the many colors that people see in their daily lives. A voluptuous apple, a pointy ballpen, a vibrant rose, the iconic red carpet, or even that one pastry shop. The color red can be intimidating for some people because of its deep and vibrant hues. But for a particular object, the color red emits fright and animosity — the “red ribbon.”

In the face of HIV/AIDS, the distinctive red ribbon symbolizes solidarity, awareness, and hope. Yet for others, it is a scarlet letter — a silent marker of judgment and prejudice. 

The limbs of these judgments and prejudice surrounding HIV/AIDS have transcended beyond those who are diagnosed; it has also latched onto entire communities, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community, further marginalizing them in a society rife with misconceptions.

Scourging Suffering Brought by the Stigma

The burden of a stigma is a silent epidemic. In their day-to-day existence, People living with HIV (PLHIV) face rejection, discrimination, and detrimentally sharp whispers behind their backs. Jobs are lost. Friendships falter. Even families crumble under the heft of fear and misinformation. 

But the stigma isn't just confined to the people living with HIV…

The LGBTQIA+ community has long been collaterally damaged by these societal misbeliefs. With outdated beliefs linking HIV exclusively to gay men and other queer individuals, the entire community faces unjust blame. This has cultivated a culture of fear, where individuals, particularly teenagers who are exploring their identities, avoid getting tested out of shame or the anxiety of being branded as one.

It is a toxic cycle where the fear of stigma leads individuals to silence. The silence then perpetuates delayed testing, and later on, this delayed testing leads to undiagnosed and untreated HIV cases. In many ways, the stigma is more deadly than the virus itself.

The Mis and Myths of HIV/AIDS

Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS continue to cloud understanding and fuel unnecessary fear. Many still wrongly believe that HIV only affects gay people, ignoring the fact that the virus can impact anyone, regardless of gender, background, or sexual orientation. 

This stereotype unfairly stigmatized the LGBTQIA+ community and immortalizes ignorance about how the virus spreads. Others cling to the outdated idea that HIV is a death sentence. While this may have been true decades ago, the fruit of advancements in medicine, particularly antiretroviral therapy (ART), now allow people living with HIV to lead long, fulfilling lives. With proper treatment, the virus can even become undetectable and untransmittable.

Some myths about transmission are even more misleading. HIV cannot be passed through casual contact like hugging, sharing utensils, or using the same bathroom. Nor can it spread through mosquito bites or touching someone with the virus. HIV is only transmitted through specific bodily fluids, such as blood, reproductive and rectal fluids, or breast milk, and only under certain conditions, like unprotected intercourse or shared needles. 

These misconceptions don’t just confuse people—they create an imperceptible wall that isolates those affected by the virus and discourages open conversations about prevention and care.

Curtailing the Chains: PLM Propaganda

In the heart of the fight against the stigma is PLM Propaganda, a premier LGBTQIA+ organization in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, that annually champions free and accessible HIV testing. Their campaign isn’t just about healthcare access, it’s about rewriting the narrative of HIV/AIDS inside and outside of the community. By offering testing in a safe and affirming environment inside the campus, they dismantle the fear associated with getting tested.

Through vivid advocacy, PLM Propaganda creates spaces where LGBTQIA+ especially young people, can breathe freely and propagate a space where being tested is not an act of shame but of strength. Beyond testing, the organization conducts seminars, workshops, and public discussions that tackle deeply and provide awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.

The presence of PLM Propaganda along with various organizations that advocate for the awareness of HIV/AIDS across different state universities in the Philippines, sparks a curtail to the chains of stigma that cling to discussions of HIV/AIDS.

Recalibration of the Red-Ribboned Stigma

The color red is one of the many colors that people see in their daily lives. The color red can be intimidating for some people because of its deep and vibrant hues. But for a ribbon colored with red, its appearance emits fright and animosity. In recognition of the 1st day of December which is “World Aids Day,” it is time for us to recalibrate the stigma that is fastened onto the red ribbon. It is not a symbol of dread and detriment, but rather an existing proof of courage for tomorrow.

Stigma thrives on ignorance, and ignorance thrives in silence. When communities are afraid to speak about HIV/AIDS, they unknowingly allow the disease to flourish and leave them unchecked. Ending the stigma means more people regardless of their sexual orientation or identity, will feel more empowered to get tested.

But this fight is more beyond the talk of healthcare. It’s about human dignity and recognizing that a diagnosis doesn’t define a person. 

Let us recalibrate the meaning of the red ribbon —— not as a symbol of division, but as a badge of hope and humanity.