Triangle Responds to Hate:
"After having worked in a company for several years, this employee disclosed to his supervisor that he was HIV-positive.  The employee’s doctor provided documentation that stated that the employee needed frequent restroom breaks.  The employee, however, was repeatedly denied this basic accommodation.  He was eventually fired and is now pursuing legal action against the company." 

HIV/AIDS is often seen to bring shame upon the person infected, their family and/or the wider community. It has often been associated with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities, dependances on drugs, people of color and can be seen as the result of personal irresponsibility. Although this stereotype exists in various communities with Michigan, no one is immune to HIV and everyone needs to work to educate others about the truth behind it.  People with HIV live amazing and powerful lives and the rest of society needs to recognize their capacity for greatness.  Unfortunately negative responses to HIV/AIDS widely exist and often feed upon and reinforce dominant ideas of good and bad with regard to love, sex, and illness.

Factors which contribute to HIV/AIDS-related stigma:

• HIV/AIDS can be a life-threatening disease, but with appropriate medications and health measures recommended by a physician, individual with the virus go on to live long, healthy, productive lives.
  

• The disease is associated with sexual activity and drug use, which already has a negative stereotype in our society.
  

• People living with HIV/AIDS are often thought of as being responsible for becoming infected, when in fact, the virus can be transmitted even with every necessary precaution.
  

• Some preceptions of religion and what is or isn't moral lead some people to believe that having HIV/AIDS is the result of deviacy that deserves some kind of punishment.  In reality, no one deserves the emotion and physical toll that the virus can have on one's body and overall well being.

Gay, bisexual, and Men who have sex with Men (MSM) can be suject to some discriminatory practices, such as the compulsory screening of "risk group" or "high risk group." When actions like this occur, it furthers the stigmatisation of our community and create a false sense of security among individuals who are not considered to be at high risk, when the risk exists for everyone. Laws that insist on the compulsory notification of HIV/AIDS cases or the restriction of an infected person's right to travel have been justified on the grounds that the disease poses a public health risk.

Triangle Foundation works for all those who have become victims at the hands of HIV/AIDS. Triangle Foundation supports efforts to increase funding for research, prevention and education regarding HIV/AIDS issues. We fight to make sure that comprehensive and effective health curriculums are used in schools so that young people get medically accurate information about preventing new infections. Individuals that feel they have been discriminated against because of their HIV status can contact Triangle Foundation for help or call 1-877-787-4264. Find more on Federal HIV/AIDS policy development.