In The Life Addresses "The Cost of Stigma" On World AIDS Day

An estimated 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV. On December 1, 2010 we honor World AIDS Day. This month, IN THE LIFE premieres The Cost of Stigma where we look at the power of stigma within our justice system and how the myths and fear that spread with the AIDS epidemic gave rise to laws criminalizing HIV transmission. We also meet researchers who consider stigma as a possible key link between bisexuality and poor health. The segments are:

Legalizing Stigma
More than 30 states have laws criminalizing HIV exposure, transmission or nondisclosure of an individual's HIV status. IN THE LIFE looks at the stigma and misinformation embedded in laws meant to curb the spread of the disease and the human cost among those who are HIV positive. Gerald Smith speaks of his brother Gregory Smith, an African American HIV positive inmate who was charged of attempted murder, assault and terroristic threats for allegedly biting and spitting at guards in 1989. Smith was convicted for all charges and sentenced to 25 years. He died in prison in 2003.

Bisexuality: The Myths and Medical Truths
It is estimated that there are 8.8 million gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the United States. Researchers have found that bisexual women fare the worst in health when compared with heterosexuals, gay men and lesbians. The state of Massachusetts has taken the lead in looking at this health disparity, and early indications point to systemic stigma and invisibility among bisexual women as its causes.

The Cost of Stigma will air on public television stations nationwide beginning on December 1st. To find out when it airs in your local area, to stream or download it, go to the IN THE LIFE website: www.itlmedia.org. To watch this episode or any other In The Life Media program on your smartphone, text DEBUT to 69866. You've got the power of LGBT media right in your pocket! (Standard messaging rates may apply.)

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Produced by In The Life Media, IN THE LIFE is the longest running television show documenting the gay experience. IN THE LIFE is a three-time Emmy Award nominee, a Lambda Legal Liberty Award honoree, and the recipient of the Courage Award from the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, the Seigenthaler Award from the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association for excellence in network television and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Journalism-Newsmagazine.

In The Life Media produces change through innovative media that exposes social injustice by chronicling lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender life and providing our audiences with effective ways to advance equality within and beyond our communities.