PrEP & Stigma
Despite significant advances in HIV prevention and treatment, HIV stigma remains an issue faced by people living with and affected by HIV. Similarly, people who seek to reduce their HIV risk through using PrEP can also encounter stigma, with some people thinking that people on PrEP are more promiscuous.
If you or someone you are supporting encounters HIV or PrEP-related stigma, here are some points to keep in mind:
Shaming one’s sex life decreases our ability to speak about it as a regular part of our health, and therefore prevents people from seeking care, and support when needed.
People who seek PrEP are making a proactive decision to take care of their health. This behaviour should be encouraged, not judged.
There are many reasons someone could be on PrEP. Making assumptions about someone’s behaviour based on the fact they are taking PrEP is not helpful and can lead to incorrect assumptions.
Just because PrEP is not for one person doesn’t mean it’s not a good option for someone else.
Someone’s health is their own concern and is a personal matter that shouldn’t be judged by anyone else.