Illinois: AIDS T-Shirt Campaign Confronts Stigma and Silence

AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) network of statewide AIDS advocates is launching a T-shirt campaign to combat stigma. The shirts, which read "HIV POSITIVE," are available for purchase at $12 each or two for $20 at www.aidschicago.org/ilasap. Participants are urged to upload pictures, video or details on their experiences wearing the shirt on the campaign's Facebook page.

"HIV/AIDS-related stigma is one of the primary barriers to curbing the spread of HIV," said David Ernesto Munar, AFC's president and CEO. "People are afraid to get tested, know their status and seek treatment for fear of what might happen if others find out they are HIV-positive."

T-shirt proceeds will go to the Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy, a project of AFC. IL ASAP member Arick Buckles came up with the idea for the campaign while working in community outreach. "My job is to connect with people who are HIV-positive, but have neglected to start treatment," he explained. "I was touched by the fact that these people were so affected by stigma that they would choose to be sick, debilitated or die rather than interact with HIV service providers and somehow have their HIV status revealed to the community."

An estimated 46,000 Illinoisans are living with HIV, of whom 30,000 are in Chicago.

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