Titty Confessions: Silent Killers: The Deadly Dance of Stigma and Ignorance

July 21st marks Zero HIV Stigma Day. It deeply saddens me to reflect on the unfortunate cuts to HIV research, the criminalization of those living with the illness, and the fact that the top three communities impacted by HIV—Black individuals, men who have sex with men (MSX), cisgender women, and transgender people—are often overlooked.

I long for conversations about HIV to be normalized, free from shame, judgment, or stigma. In my view, these are key factors that allow HIV to run rampant in our communities. We engage in many discussions, not just about HIV but about disclosure on various topics, yet we fail to create a safe space for such discussions. Disclosing your transgender identity can put you at risk, even from someone who looks and sounds just like you. When we add another “taboo” or a barrier to the mix, it complicates matters further. People shy away from discussing these issues because it challenges the reality they work hard to maintain—a sense of normalcy. I pray for a day when we can have honest conversations about something as normal as sex and how to protect ourselves. Until that point, we must stop asking for disclosure when we aren't taking the necessary precautions for our safety, such as using PrEP, Doxy PEP, condoms, and engaging in open conversations about safer sex.