The Stigma Project - Live HIV Neutral

This Sunday August 26th the founders of The Stigma Project Chris Richey and Scott McPherson will be speaking with the POZ I AM Radio hosts. The Stigma Project is an up and coming grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education and awareness via social media and advertising. The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV neutral world, free of judgement and fear by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. Social media has rapidly become one of today's largest mediums of news, culture, and education. They hope to embrace that with effective campaigns each season that bring awareness to the current state of HIV.

​"HIV Neutral" is a state of mind, regardless of your status, in which you are informed and aware of the constantly evolving state of HIV/AIDS. Living a "neutral" lifestyle is being a visible advocate in the fight to end HIV and the stigma that strengthens it. It is putting emphasis on the humanity of all people and not casting judgement because of their status, positive or negative. It is standing up, speaking out and educating others.

Simply put, it is being able to make informed decisions about your social and sexual health. Because HIV is now classified as a chronic manageable condition, treatment is now focused on people living full and healthy lives. To truly live "HIV Neutral," we must begin shifting towards a new way of thinking about HIV/AIDS. Moving away from thoughts full of death and sadness and towards thoughts of life and hope for the future.

Listen to the Interview 

Nick Rhoades - HIV Criminalization

On Sunday June 24th at 9pm, POZ I AM Radio will be speaking with Nick Rhoades. Nick Rhoades was convicted of “Criminal Transmission of HIV” in Iowa in 2008, even though his viral load was undetectable, he wore a condom and his accuser did not contract HIV. He was sentenced to 25years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration. After a year of total incarceration, the judge reconsidered Nick’s sentence and released him on five years probation, as well as the sex offender registration requirement. His case for post-conviction relief is still ongoing.

Nick's story was recently featured in Sean Strub's upcoming documentary HIV is Not a Crime.

Today he works as an Outreach and Event Specialist with The Center for HIV Law and Policy’s Positive Justice Project, which combats HIV criminalization. He spoke in Geneva, Switzerland, about HIV criminalization at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and as part of a panel discussion organized by the UN Human Rights Council meeting in March, 2012. Rhoades has also volunteered with the Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network(CHAIN), Iowa Community Planning Group, Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH)and as a board member with Community AIDS Assistance Project, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Listen to the interview