20 July
In a sea of advocacy signs and slogans, I noticed a sign that read, “I am HIV Positive…So What?” Someone, whom I did not even see, carried this sign at the Human Rights March through the streets of Vienna this evening. Whoever this person was, s/he took ownership of HIV status, not afraid of sharing such a personal and stigmatized thing with the world. It moved me to think that in this place, amidst so many other logos, brandings, chants, cheers, and slogans, this person felt safe.
But what happens when this person is not surrounded by thousands of HIV/AIDS advocates? What happens when this person is gay…a woman…a sex worker…an orphan…a racial minority…a migrant worker? What happens to this individual outside of the protection of a Human Rights March advocating for change in the status of the marginalized?
What happens is, that this person is tossed to margins of society both by the government and the private sector. This person who openly states her/his HIV status is stripped of basic human rights. S/he is told “you are not wanted, “you are worthless,” “you are diseased,” “you are to blame,” and worst of all “you are a SINNER!”
These things may not audibly be stated to this person, but are stated in the government and the people’s actions. When we stigmatize individuals for their drug use or sexuality—we say, “you are not wanted.” When we do not give promised funding to HIV/AIDS research and relief efforts we deny treatment—stating, “you are worthless.” When we flinch at someone’s confession of status—we say, “you are diseased.” When we deny health care to sex workers—we say, “you are to blame.” When we turn our backs on the gay community—we say, “you are a sinner.”
We do not need words; we need action. Again, the theme of AIDS 2010 comes to mind: “Rights Here, Right Now.” The Human Rights March, lead by Annie Lennox, Michel Sidibé, Julio Montaner, and many other global AIDS leaders had this message. It is only our actions that can and will create change. By our marching through the streets of Vienna, surrounded by Austrians as well as media from around the world, we made a physical statement: in representing the marginalized and stigmatized globally by marching through Vienna. Our message for Universal Human Rights will not be ignored!
