Province apologizes for gay pair in HIV/AIDS post

Advocates say a social media post by the Saskatchewan government that was pulled within hours perpetuates a long-held — and damaging — perception about HIV and AIDS.

The picture, which was shared across social media platforms on Tuesday to mark World AIDS Day, showed two men beneath the heading: “HIV is on the rise in Saskatchewan.” By Wednesday morning, the image had been removed and the province had issued an apology.

Health Minister Paul Merriman apologized to “everyone in the community” for the “disappointing” post and said a deputy minister would look into how it came to be published. “I don't think it portrays everyone who is fighting HIV/AIDS,” Merriman said.

Critics went a step farther, arguing the image furthers a myth that HIV/AIDS only affects members of the gay community.

“In all honesty, the government's post only services to further stigmatize the gay and queer community at a time when HIV is preventable and treatable,” said Outsaskatoon interim executive co-director Jack Saddleback.

“HIV is different nowadays. It's not the 1980s. We are 2020, and HIV does not discriminate based on your romantic and sexual orientation.”

Opposition Leader Ryan Meili called the message homophobic.

Saskatoon Sexual Health executive director Heather Hale said the image doesn't represent the reality of HIV in Saskatchewan.

“For a time, HIV was seen as an infection that was spread, passed on or afflicted upon the queer community. And we know in Saskatchewan that HIV looks different than that, and that the face of HIV reflects our community,” Hale said.

The province's HIV rate is twice the national average.

A decade of government data shows intravenous drug use is by far the leading cause of new infections. The second is sex between heterosexual partners.

“I think it's telling that was their only message,” said Jason Mercredi, executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction — an organization known until earlier this year as AIDS Saskatoon.

“It goes to show HIV hasn't been given the attention it needs.”

Mercredi said the gaffe has created an opportunity to have a frank conversation about what Saskatchewan people should know about HIV.

“At least now people are talking about it,” he said, encouraging people to learn about the role sharing drug equipment plays in spreading HIV.

Hale said good health messaging should be rooted in an idea of “nothing about us, without us.”

“Health promotion is complicated. It's a hard job,” she said.

“But at SSH, we really try to show the complexity of the situation while also leaving the viewer feeling they have the power to make choices.”

Merriman said the government continues to fund measures to prevent the spread of HIV.

Preliminary data show 118 new cases were identified in 2020 as of Sept. 24.