Today is World AIDS Day, an important reminder that HIV/AIDS is still affecting people of every race, gender and sexuality. World AIDS Day was actually the first ever global health day, and it started in 1988.

 

Being diagnosed with HIV today means something very different than it did 20 or 30 years ago. It is no longer the death sentence it once was. However, people’s attitudes can make living with HIV really hard. Some things from the 1980s and 1990s are worth revisiting -- like old TV shows or funky clothing styles -- but HIV stigma isn’t one of them. 

 

A new campaign was created for World AIDS Day called "HIV Stigma: Not Retro, Just Wrong."

 

"The problems that the 'rest of the population' creates for me makes living with HIV difficult to the point where taking my medication, remaining unemployed and choosing friends carefully appears to be the only comfortable option," explained one man living with HIV.

 

The World AIDS Day organization is hoping people will take a stand to remind others that acceptance is a huge part in helping someone with the disease.

 

"Share a funny or embarrassing picture of you (or your parents!) from the 80s or 90s, to show that although some retro styles have come back in to fashion some things should be left in the past, including HIV stigma," the organization said. "Or share one of our campaign posters, below. Remember to hashtag #HIVNotRetro".