Subscribe to this blog's feedI am so over the catch phrase “The New Face of HIV” being used as the title of every HIV/AIDS story in the media around the country. I am not the face of HIV— HIV is not a person; it’s a virus that just so happens to affect all humans. Breaking News: The first letter in HIV stands for “Human”—not “Homosexual,” “Heroin Addict,” “Heterosexual,” or “Ha, ha, ha, that does not relate to me.” So, that said, if HIV had a face, it would be whatever color you get when you mix together all the shades from your 3rd grade box of crayons.
When I laid eyes on the first print article I was in, the story was titled, “The New Face of HIV.” That was a little over two years ago. At first, I thought, “That is mad cool; I am the new face of HIV.” My lack of information made me think that I truly was the new face of HIV.
The phrase made me feel that I had an excuse for becoming infected because I was a young, black, heterosexual female who was not promiscuous. But after meeting people who look healthy just like me and act just like me, but have been living with the virus for twenty, even twenty-five years, I realize that I am not and never was the face of HIV. And it was not my lack of information, but misinformation, that led me to get HIV. I felt that HIV was not an issue for me because I was not a gay man, IV drug user or a prostitute, and I had heard that these were the people who mainly became infected with this virus.
Today, young, black heterosexual females often think that if their man is not on the “down low,” then HIV isn’t an issue for them. I have heard so much about this “down low” phenomenon that I began to question if the guy who infected me was on the “down low.” But, I know that he is as straight as my hair weave after I get it done. My point is that we rely so much on the media and other things to teach us this and show us that, but at the end of the day we’re all responsible for ourselves. I’m not trying to scare you; but it’s important for all of us to educate ourselves and be responsible for own actions. That means everything from getting an HIV test to using condoms each and every time you have sex. I may have once thought it was “mad cool” to be the new face of HIV, but, I have learned, it is a lot more serious than I ever thought.
Marvelyn, this is great. What is the fact of HIV anyway? And you were fabulous on 106 & Park tonight. You rock!
My dearest Marvelyn,
As a HIV prevention research specialist and psychotherapist who subspecialize in HIV/AIDS, I was extremely pleased about the comments you shared about people (regardless of sexual orientation, race, etc.) need to assume responsibility for their own safety--as it relates to HIV/AIDS disease.
I encourage empowerment among women. Sex is "all that, but it's not worth dying over." As women it is imperative that we utilize harm reduction techniques, consistently and correctly.
Kudos, little sister.
Most sincerely,
Grace
Marvelyn,
As a retired nurse, I voluntarily assist with several aspects of HIV / AIDS here in Jamaica.
I was one of the folks that lobbied for the members of whatever audience I spoke to that day to understand that Yes, there are 25,000 people sick here in Jamaica AND THEY ALL HAVE FACES AND NAMES, HOMES JOBS AND SCHOOLS.
Many times folks that deal with national or global level don't think of the human aspect they think 24 new cases, 11 on antiretroviral, 2 deaths.
We have two courageous folks here recently on televised ads to withstand the stigma and discrimination based on ignorance of disease process to let folks know that HIV AIDS has a face.
This is a quixotic battle. This epidemic is out of control everywhere. What recommendations do you make to stop the virus?
Donna - Montego Bay
Dear Marvelyn,
I too was like you - thought I was the face of HIV when I was first diagnosed... now 2 years later I am stronger, have a more POSITIVE outlook on what is important in my life... and I know what is not worth worrying about... I am me and I like the person I am... friends and family love me for who I am and I love them with every part of my being... life is WONDERFUL for this poz Aussie guy !
You go girl !!
Greetings from Sydney Australia to all...
Ross xxx
I was just thinking how long we have been saying "The New Face of AIDS". i know that when I 'first' used that term, in 1990 when I worked with HIV/AIDS we really thought it would make people stand up and take notice. It didn't. Though I left the field with my hair on fire, I think all of us who know anything need to let people know we are the Face of AIDS, whether we test positive or not. The more courageous folks like you, who stand up and say they have been infected the more likely we all will stand up and say WE ARE THE FACE OF AIDS. Then maybe we can stop this epidemic. Until then, I pray your strength in the struggle.
Hey Marvelyn,
Reading your blog, I remember when I first met you in Nashville 2 years ago and then I spoke to you last year at Staying Alive. I must say you have grown and I am so happy that your so openminded I thank you for your posting about "the new face to HIV". It's so TRUE!
Your Buddy,
Johnny Guaylupo NYC!
Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh
Globally, most of the women migrants are engaged as domestic workers, carers and nurses of the sick, the children and elderly people. Approximately, half of all the migrants were from Asia in 2005 and throughout the 1990s many of the female migrants worked in unregulated sex industry fuelled by dire poverty, discrimination and unemployment in Asia. Sometimes domestic workers have been assaulted, raped, overworked. Many had been denied pay, rest days, privacy and access to medical services; verbally and psychologically abused and sometimes had their passports withheld.
Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world in which the ratio of trafficking is very high. An estimated 12,000 Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked every year into sexual exploitation in Indian brothels, and an unspecified number are victims of internal sex trafficking. Women also migrate willingly to Middle-east country to work as domestic servants, nurse, cooker, cleaner etc., but some subsequently face conditions of involuntary servitude because their passports and wages are withheld and they are physically and sexually abused by their employers.
Bangladesh is bordered by India and by the Myanmar. India shares 4,222 kilometers of its border with 28 districts of Bangladesh, and most of that border is open to traffic. Bangladeshi girls who are trafficked to India by organized networks usually end up in brothels in Kolkata or Mumbai. Many victims are raped by their traffickers or by the border patrol guards. Poverty, floods and cyclones, landlessness, other natural disasters, and dowry system, push people to search for opportunities outside the country.
Approximately 20,000 people are trafficked every year from Bangladesh because human trafficking has turned out to be the third most profitable but illicit business in the world after arms and drug trafficking. South East Asia and South Asia are home to the largest numbers of internationally trafficked persons estimated to be 2,25,000 and 1,50,000 respectively.
Bangladesh is mainly a country of source for trafficking in women and children. A reported 200,000 Bangladeshi women and children have been taken out of the country in the past 10 years. At least 20,000 Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked to India and Pakistan and to Middle Eastern countries every year. The girls end up in brothels in India or Pakistan or in Middle Eastern or South Asian countries.
As mention by AIDS researcher Mohammad Khairul Alam, “Trafficking is not only a problem of the victims, it also creates social problem and health problem. Thousands of adolescent girls are trafficked every year from Bangladesh, Poverty provides traffickers with people who have no option for survival. They trust the offers of work or marriage abroad, which promise security but lead them to sex trade. Sex trade has become vastly diversified. Traffickers can easily procure girls by pleasing with promises and hopes of better jobs. Girls from Bangladesh either migrate voluntarily or trafficked into foreign countries where they become pawns in the sex trade without any hopes of escape.”
In Bangladesh where poverty has already limited people's choices, gender discrimination against women in health care, education, employment and wages can leave them with very few options for supporting themselves. Poverty, unemployment, internal migration and natural devastating have increased the vulnerability of women in many fields.
Human trafficking to India are at high risk for HIV/AIDS infection, as India is the second largest HIV/AIDS infected country in the world, and it is a neighboring country of Bangladesh, It is estimated that 40% sex worker in India have been infected with HIV. A recent survey in Bangladeshi track drivers by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation, found that 80% track driver in Bangladesh have no clear concept of HIV or AIDS. But 90% respond it is a deadly disease. Every day a number large of people cross border movement take place both officially and also illegally. Poverty and open border with India have facilitated the trafficking of Bangladeshi women and girls to brothels in India.
Dr. Dirruba Anam Muna
Sylhet, Bangladesh
MunaSylhet@37.com
So True Marvelyn I could not of explained it any better. Positive people like me and you and every one else that is positive needs to stand-up and declare our status.
Kind of ironic in a way we could form our own nation, there is just that many. I would nominate you for PRESIDENT/QUEEN whatever we as a nation would choose.
We need to shed our fear's and stand together and say I AM HIV POSITIVE.
Then people might see that it is the person you see at your grocery store, school, place of employment, and she/he could be standing right next to you.
There is no face of AIDS so true.
THE NEW FACE OF AIDS....LIES LIES LIES....
I am 34 white and had only ever had three unprotected sexual encounters in my life.
There is no new face...it has always been those who are sexually active EVEN IF IT IS ONE TIME SEXUAL EVENT.
Sadly there are still places which encourage the spread thru fear tactics....the notion that you can engage in unprotected sex with a virginal woman/girl and you are cured is soooo SAD...EVEN MADE WORSE by the fact it comes from the government.
Soon the data will prove that the "new face of AIDS" will be an Indian or Bangladeshi woman or a Central Persian Woman. It takes time for the govenrments to provide data...and then you have to suspect that the date is skewed to provide a political picture to purge the "outsiders."
The US government is doing nothing to clarify that infeciton rates in Hispanic and Black women is rising due to males returning from Prison/Jail who were infected. Expecially worse is the nature that Florida Statical analysis shows that the young hispanic male who si 22-38 and has spent more than 5 years in prison is more likely to exit prison with HIV due to rape than he is to leave prison with any other medical problem.
Then the HIV infected man returns to the community and does what comes naturally. It is a real problem...NO man wants to admit that he was raped and then announce he is POZ! UNTIL we remove the barries about coming out about your status...then the dramatic stats will only get worse!
This is how I felt earlier: This is nothing but a sob story, so If you're not into that get lost. It's Saturday night, I'm listening to Luther Vandross, drinking, and I'm crying too. I lost the love of my life because I let her go. I'll never forgive myself unless I find the only person that can relate. I am positive, not as far as attitude, no I'm fucking positive, 8 years,...now you know why I'm freaking crying. Had a women , married her, she was neg, I was Poz, she knew, she loves me, I love her, she's still neg. I pushed her away, why? Not that I did not love her....out of fear, of making her poz. Now I'm alone again, I am so lonely. I don't feel right around anyone, I need a Poz female, she would understand. Are you out there?
I feel slightly better after reading your article. But I still need a woman who will understand, even though I had one and I threw her away. I need a poz woman, now.