Gossip is a part of our society. Many stories we hear are not always factual, or the truth might be misconstrued, but still people are judged based on these unverified accounts.
Rumours have helped to perpetuate stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS.
Recently there was a story on social media which involved popular Guyanese personalities. The story was also reported by a few news sources. Social media was used to expose a young man who was rumoured to be HIV positive and who was said to be deliberately infecting others. As a result, a few of his former partners felt it necessary to reveal their HIV negative status on social media. The young woman who was known to be his most recent partner traveled to an island and produced an HIV negative test that was shared with her fans during a live broadcast to assure them that she was not infected. A few days after it was reported that she was arrested because it is alleged that she had someone impersonate her to take the HIV test.
The young man at the centre of the story died last week and many believe that cyberbullying affected him and might have been one of the factors that led to his death. Others are alleging that he was sick for a long time before his status was publicly revealed. In a news broadcast, his distraught relatives blamed the persons who were at the centre of revealing that he was HIV positive. Because the story unraveled on a public forum, many have shared their opinions, and some have not been kind in their judgement of the persons involved.
Social media continues to facilitate a malicious and hateful cycle. Many Guyanese use the platform to engage in conflicts, to expose and shame their enemies and some choose to continuously share personal details of their lives. Those who overshare are open to criticism and judgement and often the opinions are from strangers.
While some who overshare may be narcissists, some might be lonely and craving attention to feel like they belong. Some may be suffering from low self-esteem and the facade they create for social media perhaps exhilarates them and boosts their confidence.
While I believe that anyone who is guilty of purposely infecting others with HIV should not be excused and should face the law when it can be proven, was social media the platform to address the allegations in the recent story? While it is one of the largest platforms and one of the quickest and easiest ways to convey information, should the platform be used for exposing people who may be HIV positive given the potential response? If we endorse such a practice, many innocent people may suffer. There are those who may deliberately spread false information about people they despise.
Some believe that they may save lives when they publicly reveal the status of those infected with HIV. However, it is very telling that after all the work that has been done to address the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV, there are still people who are HIV positive and who are not disclosing their status to their sexual partners, thereby putting them at risk. Whatever the causes, the fact that there are those who still are guilty of infecting others when they are aware of their status is an indication that there is still much to be done to address stigma and discrimination and other facts about HIV and AIDS.
Is it ever correct to expose someone who is HIV positive even if one has evidence that they are deliberately infecting others? In some countries, people who have deliberately infected others have been imprisoned. While some may agree with disclosure on social media and others might not, most of us would rather our sexual partners be honest with us. However, exposing a person’s HIV status can be traumatic and detrimental, not only for the person who is being exposed but also for their sexual partners who might have been unaware.
The only way to determine if a person is HIV positive is through an HIV test. When we are motivated to expose based on rumours or allegations, we can err. We are each responsible for our sexual behaviour and should take measures to protect ourselves. Whether we routinely do tests with our partners or use condoms, the onus is on us to always be cognisant of the risks and take measures to be safe.
Though there have been advancements in treatment for those living with HIV and people can live normal lives, it is clear that the stigma attached to the virus is still an issue. Years have been spent educating the Guyanese populace, but some of the revelations that occurred in recent weeks exposes that many are still very ignorant. Many still believe the virus is a death sentence and that those who are infected should be shunned. Many still believe that it is mainly those who are promiscuous that are at risk. Many believe that it is homosexuals and sex workers who are mostly at risk and infected. Many believe that once a person has had sex with a person who is HIV positive, they too are infected. Some believe that an HIV positive person can test negative if their viral load becomes undetectable. Some believe that the virus can take as many as ten years before a person tests positive. These beliefs are of course not factual. But these were some of the thoughts people shared.
While people’s attitude and perceptions about the virus are much better now than it was in the early days of HIV and AIDS in Guyana, all the recent assumptions and rumours reveal that efforts to bring about awareness has to be an ongoing process. In recent years, there have not been as many campaigns as in the 90s and early 2000s but until a cure is found or the virus is eradicated, there must be continuous education. The younger generations need to be educated. If they are unaware of the facts, they may engage in risky behaviours, which can lead to an increase in the infection rates.
Before we judge people we hear rumours about, we must ask ourselves: What if it was us or our loved ones? Before we decide to share details of our personal lives on social media, we must think about if we are ready for the effect it can have on us when people share their opinions. What is the intent in oversharing? Will sharing inspire positive change, is just for attention, to spark conflict or feed rumours?
In the face of HIV and AIDS, we all must be responsible. No one is responsible for our safety, but us. Those we trust can betray us and put us at risk. We must be honest and control our own stories.
