Maintaining positivity

Earlier this month, one of the most discussed topics people had was about HIV/Aids.

When Thitiwatt Sirasejtakorn, an HIV-positive advocate and gay man, announced he’d be giving lessons on how to have unprotected sex safely, all hell broke loose on the internet. The amount of backlash directed at him by angry netizens was like a storm. His fiery, unapologetic attitude also helped fuel the fire. What came after was negativity that went mostly towards the advocate himself. The situation also didn’t do much to improve society’s acceptance towards people living with HIV.

Thitiwatt, also known as Pete Living With HIV (from his Facebook page), has been using his experience to help raise awareness and understanding of HIV/ Aids in Thailand. This is indeed a wasted opportunity. Had he gone about his message more carefully, and not in a way that feels like he’s trying to make an enemy out of the entire world, maybe it wouldn’t have gotten to the point where the public shuns what he has to say.

How valid is his claim? Can HIV-positive people have unprotected sex “safely” — as in, with no risk of HIV transmission? They can, with conditions. People living with HIV who are on regular antiretroviral therapy until their viral load is reduced to the point of undetectability can’t transmit HIV to their partner through sex. Undetectable equals untransmittable. This is known as the U=U concept. So, safe from HIV? Yes. But obviously not from other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

At its core, the message is there, hidden beneath the pile of criticism and misunderstanding. It’s a valuable lesson in advocacy effort. The message isn’t the only thing that counts. You have to communicate it right, too.