Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

a man telling a crowd on a subway about HIV and starting a conversation

Advocacy: The Work That Never Ends

Most advocates know that our work isn’t done until the epidemic has ended. That’s something we all learn the more we advocate.

But let's take a step back, back from the big picture, and into our day-to-day. I, of course, cannot and do not speak for all advocates - I just know my feelings on this matter. I just feel like sometimes, my work truly never ends. It’s everywhere I go, and in everything I do.

Featured Forum

View all responses caret icon

HIV advocacy doesn't stop

I hold a career in public health in the field of HIV. We are all working together for a common goal and I am proud to be a part of that mission. However, even at work, in my own way, I am still an advocate.

Every day I am on the lookout for outdated language and information, no matter the source. My ears have become very sensitive to stigmatizing language and I cannot help but make mention of it. Because in my mind, if I don’t, I’m doing a disservice as an advocate.

Dispelling HIV misinformation

When I leave work and come home, I usually try to relax. So I end up doing the least relaxing thing and log into social media.

Eventually, I will reach a post of someone that has been misinformed and is spreading bad information. I make a point to stop, try to correct the information, offer a link for more information on HIV and hope I educated someone. Because in my mind, if I don’t, I’m doing a disservice as an advocate.

Raising HIV awareness

I had considerations of streaming video games for fun and to make some extra money. Guess what my great idea was for a hook? A streamer that plays videogames while offering HIV education and other important sexual education. This was the biggest thing I felt I could offer the gaming community - using yet another platform to raise HIV awareness. Because in my mind, if I don’t, I’m doing a disservice as an advocate.

Featured Forum

View all responses caret icon

HIV education in conversation

When I meet someone new, I usually work something about HIV into the conversation at some point.

I am always curious about what kind of knowledge people I meet have about HIV. Like I previously mentioned, there is a lot of misinformation about HIV. Also because HIV is such a big part of my life that I find myself needing to talk about it. Because in my mind, if I don’t, I’m doing a disservice as an advocate.

I am not my HIV status

At the end of the day, I find that from start to finish, I am working as an advocate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my work. I have a wealth of knowledge on HIV and the ability to make an impact. It has become a very important part of who I am, and the legacy I will leave behind.

But there is one very important thing I always try to remember: I am not my status. I am a person first, living with HIV second. I do my best to never forget that. Because in my mind, if I don’t, I’m doing a disservice as an advocate.

Community Poll

Is your partner taking PrEP?

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The H-I-V.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Community Poll

Have you ever been unhoused or insecurely housed?