SAFER SIX
TorontoA sex-positive, body-positive, pro-choice, and inclusive health clinic offering comprehensive STBBI prevention, testing, and treatment services.
Visit websiteRaise
your voice
against
HIV stigma
In a world where stigma still whispers and shouts, how we respond becomes an act of love.
Stigma
Identifying Stigma
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Language.
Words rooted in fear, blame, or outdated thinking—like “clean” or “risky”—reinforce stigma and make HIV harder to talk about.
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Misinformation.
False or outdated ideas about transmission, treatment, or what it means to live with HIV continue to fuel fear and misunderstanding.
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Stereotypes.
Narrow ideas about who is impacted by HIV overlook real experiences and keep harmful narratives alive. These assumptions affect access, relationships, and the support people receive.
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Moral Judgment.
Framing HIV as a personal or moral failing creates shame and isolation. Compassion—not condemnation—builds safer, more supportive environments for everyone.
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Gossip.
Speculating about or sharing someone’s status violates privacy and deepens stigma. Everyone deserves control over their own story, on their own terms.
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Exclusion.
Distancing from someone socially, romantically, or professionally creates isolation and reinforces harmful beliefs about HIV. Inclusion is essential to safety and dignity.
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Cultural Shame.
Shame woven into cultural and generational teachings often shapes how HIV is understood. When these beliefs go unchallenged, they can create unsafe environments and expose people to harm, even within their own families.
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Barriers to Care.
Stigma can make people delay testing, avoid appointments, or hesitate to take medication out of fear that their status could be exposed—keeping many from the life-saving care they need.
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Systemic Violence.
Stigma isn’t only interpersonal—it’s built into laws, policing, and social systems. Criminalization and inequitable access to care create real, lasting harm for people living with HIV.
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Internalized Stigma.
When stigma is absorbed inward, people may question their worth, hide parts of themselves, or feel undeserving of love, care, or community—even when none of it is true.
Disclosure
Disclosing
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Share on your terms.
Disclosure is a deeply personal choice—when, how, and with whom you share is entirely up to you.
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Put your safety first.
Choose to open up in spaces and to people who make you feel safe, supported, and respected.
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Take your time.
It’s normal to feel anxious or unsure before disclosing. Don’t pressure yourself into sharing before you feel emotionally prepared.
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Know your worth.
No matter how someone reacts, your worth doesn’t change. Sharing your truth takes courage, and the right people will meet you with care and understanding.
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Know your rights.
Disclosure laws vary by region. In Canada, you usually don’t need to disclose if there’s no real risk of transmission, like when you’re undetectable. When in doubt, check with local HIV legal or community resources.
Showing up effectively
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Listen first.
Let them speak without interruption or judgment. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is listen.
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Lead with empathy.
How you respond—with calm and compassion, or even a simple thank you for their trust—can make all the difference.
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Respect their privacy.
Their status isn’t yours to share, even out of concern. Unless they’ve given you explicit permission, don’t share it with others.
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Ask how you can support.
It might be reassurance, space, or simply being there. Everyone’s needs are different, and the best way to know is to ask.
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Stay informed.
The more you know, the better you can show up—for your friends, your community, and those who trust you.
Community
Community means showing up for one another. Together, we can create spaces where everyone feels seen, safe, and able to thrive. When we learn, listen, and lead with empathy, we move closer to a future free from HIV stigma.
Ending Stigma together
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Lead with care.
Everyone’s journey is different. Approach conversations about HIV and sexual health with compassion, not assumptions.
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Protect their privacy.
If someone opens up to you, treat their trust with care. And if you hear gossip about someone’s status, shut it down.
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Keep learning.
Knowledge evolves quickly. Stay informed about the latest in HIV science, treatment, and prevention so you can show up as a stronger ally and resource for others.
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Challenge stigma when you see it.
Silence gives stigma room to grow. If you hear misinformation or judgment, speak up. Change begins in how we respond.
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Challenge fear with facts.
Fear thrives on misinformation. Speak about HIV with health, resilience, and community in mind—guided by science, not fear or blame.
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Honour those we’ve lost.
Silence around AIDS-related deaths is one of the oldest forms of stigma. Speaking their names and carrying their stories keeps us grounded in truth, not silence or shame.
Choose how you show up
Question 1 / 8
A friend quietly shares that they were recently diagnosed with HIV and are scared to tell anyone.
A friend says they don’t want to date someone who is HIV-positive because “it’s too risky.”
A colleague calls someone living with HIV “reckless” for dating.
A person says they don’t want to get tested because they’re afraid of being judged if they find out they’re positive.
Someone discloses their HIV status to you and says, “Please don’t treat me differently.”
Someone in a workshop says, “People with HIV should always disclose before dating anyone.”
A friend overhears someone spreading misinformation about HIV and says, “People with HIV are dangerous.”
A friend says they’re afraid to start HIV medication because they think it means they’re really sick.
I pledge to lead with care, honour what’s entrusted to me, and use what I learn to help challenge HIV stigma in all its forms.
A word from our partners
Yabu Pushelberg
Partner
Casey House and UNAIDS showed us that HIV and AIDS still impact children, women, Black and Indigenous people, gay men, and trans and gender non-conforming people. Supporting Maggie’s Toronto helps us stand with those most affected and work to end stigma.
Plot
Production Partner
At Plot, we believe creativity has purpose. Our work with FUNCTION and other community-led partners reminds us that storytelling is more than communication—it’s representation, truth-telling, and a tool for change. When our work helps people, it gives everything we do deeper meaning, and we feel lucky to play a part in telling these important stories.
Locomotive
Web Partner
We believe creativity can help make space for real conversations. Supporting a project that speaks openly about HIV stigma highlights the importance of visibility, honesty, and community care. We’re honoured to stand with FUNCTION in amplifying stories that matter—voices that deserve to be heard.
Holt Renfrew
Style Partner
At Holt Renfrew, we believe that ending HIV stigma begins with understanding and compassion. We’re proud to stand with FUNCTION in amplifying voices and stories that inspire empathy, awareness, and community connection.
Jems
Safer Sex Partner
At Jems, we believe sexual health is strongest when real voices lead the conversation. HIV prevention starts with visibility, honesty, and humanity. By standing with FUNCTION and Maggie’s Toronto, we’re supporting a future where education is accessible, stories are heard, and every person feels empowered to make informed, stigma-free choices.
Resources
HQ
TorontoA community-focused healthcare centre for cisgender men who are into men, as well as two-spirit, transgender, and non-binary individuals, providing rapid STBBI testing and holistic health and wellness services.
Visit websiteGMHC
New york cityA pioneering organization dedicated to reducing new HIV infections and providing life-affirming care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Visit websiteSIDEP+
MontrealA clinic focused on HIV and STBBI prevention for gay, bisexual, queer men, and trans and gender-diverse individuals, offering inclusive and accessible services.
Visit websiteHiM
VancouverA welcoming space for gay, bisexual, queer men, and trans and gender-diverse individuals, offering free routine testing, sexual health education, and comprehensive programs and services.
Visit websiteCENTRE FOR SEXUALITY
CalgaryA community-based organization, providing evidence-informed, non-judgmental sexual health programs and services, including STBBI testing.
Visit websiteI AM
A national grassroots initiative providing free HIV self-testing kits and support to empower individuals and reduce stigma.
Visit websiteCATIE
A trusted hub for the latest HIV information and a directory connecting people across Canada to HIV, hepatitis C, sexual health, and harm reduction services.
Visit websiteHIV.GOV
A comprehensive online resource offering accurate and up-to-date information about HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and long-term care.
Visit website