This month, we are pleased to hear from Ian L. Haddock, Founder and Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly Initiative.

The Normal Anomaly Initative centers Black, queer plus persons to overcome barriers, end stigma and problematic narratives to actualize a new normal.

How does HIV stigma affect our community, and what can we do to reduce it?

HIV stigma is created by a cycle of "othering" that happens across multiple disparities and intersections of marginalization. This cycle generalizes HIV as a concept that is less about the human — which is the first part of the HIV acronym — and makes it about placing blame on the acts that contribute to HIV transmission.

The reduction of stigma, although complex, is a simple practice of being person-centered and people first. We should think about HIV as a symptom of a larger disease of poverty, lack of education, resources, and access, and other social drivers that lead to a predisposition to a higher rate of HIV transmission in our community. When that happens, we see the person and not the condition — and that is how we can reduce stigma.

Learn more about the work The Normal Anomaly Initiative and how your company can support here.

Editorial Note: This content was originally part of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV Houston Chapter's newsletter. To stay up to date, sign up for updates here.