Physical illnesses are terrible to have and experience by themselves. All the more, though, when compounded by ostracism and social stigma at the time when one needs a solid support system the most. This is a common experience among HIV Jewish community NYC.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the viral strain that leads to AIDS in its final stages. This can be transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person. There is also a perinatal or congenital transmission passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
The stigma surrounding the disease is a staple knowledge to most. Even a reputable newspaper media outlet referred to it as a new kind of cancer in 1981. Consequently, AIDS has been much bandied about as something called gay cancer. If thats overwhelming enough to take into account, all the more so when you take the conversation into another nifty channel thats called religion.
The usual misconception with AIDS is that it is something that it is something in the domain of homosexuals. Its pretty much evident that the LGBTQ minority is yet another group thats in a tight spot with religions. The common religious perception is that this disease is a fitting punishment for sinful actions, like engaging in homosexual activities or taking drugs. Needless to say, that doesnt sit well with the agenda of doing away with all the stigma.
That drags the normalization of the situation a long way back. In New York, it is reported that there are dentists who refuse to treat persons infected with the virus. Similarly, there are hospitals that single out HIV positive patients by putting biohazard stickers on their bedsteads. Thats on the same groove with stigmatization, no matter how you look at it.
The Torah, Judaisms holy book, teaches that the person is created in the image of their God and is inherently worth of dignity just by that criterion. Conversely, however, people who are living with this disease experience a loss of self worth and esteem because of this tenet. There is no central authority on HIV groups or awareness in Jewish communities that is accepted the majority of Jews. Consequently, discrimination abounds.
To fill the gaping hole left by their religion, certain individuals formed the first gay synagogues in the 1970s, where they can address the problems unique to their community. Since they have a history of terrible losses to the disease, they therefore have a substantial interest in ending the epidemic. An NYC based synagogue even recently completed a leadership training about HIV prevention and safety. The program raises awareness about the risk, prevention, treatment, and stigma of AIDS.
It goes without saying that the Jewish community in NYC is taking baby strides towards normalization. Of course, this normalization is not about accepting AIDS as a way of life, but of accepting its sufferers back into the fold. Greater sympathy and knowledge of its effects will gradually bring us closer to its complete prevention, maybe cure.
A fitting rallying cry is one introduced by yet another Jewish group. It states that silence equates to death and action equates to life. This pretty much sums up how being aware, informed, and proactive can consequently save a life.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the viral strain that leads to AIDS in its final stages. This can be transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person. There is also a perinatal or congenital transmission passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
The stigma surrounding the disease is a staple knowledge to most. Even a reputable newspaper media outlet referred to it as a new kind of cancer in 1981. Consequently, AIDS has been much bandied about as something called gay cancer. If thats overwhelming enough to take into account, all the more so when you take the conversation into another nifty channel thats called religion.
The usual misconception with AIDS is that it is something that it is something in the domain of homosexuals. Its pretty much evident that the LGBTQ minority is yet another group thats in a tight spot with religions. The common religious perception is that this disease is a fitting punishment for sinful actions, like engaging in homosexual activities or taking drugs. Needless to say, that doesnt sit well with the agenda of doing away with all the stigma.
That drags the normalization of the situation a long way back. In New York, it is reported that there are dentists who refuse to treat persons infected with the virus. Similarly, there are hospitals that single out HIV positive patients by putting biohazard stickers on their bedsteads. Thats on the same groove with stigmatization, no matter how you look at it.
The Torah, Judaisms holy book, teaches that the person is created in the image of their God and is inherently worth of dignity just by that criterion. Conversely, however, people who are living with this disease experience a loss of self worth and esteem because of this tenet. There is no central authority on HIV groups or awareness in Jewish communities that is accepted the majority of Jews. Consequently, discrimination abounds.
To fill the gaping hole left by their religion, certain individuals formed the first gay synagogues in the 1970s, where they can address the problems unique to their community. Since they have a history of terrible losses to the disease, they therefore have a substantial interest in ending the epidemic. An NYC based synagogue even recently completed a leadership training about HIV prevention and safety. The program raises awareness about the risk, prevention, treatment, and stigma of AIDS.
It goes without saying that the Jewish community in NYC is taking baby strides towards normalization. Of course, this normalization is not about accepting AIDS as a way of life, but of accepting its sufferers back into the fold. Greater sympathy and knowledge of its effects will gradually bring us closer to its complete prevention, maybe cure.
A fitting rallying cry is one introduced by yet another Jewish group. It states that silence equates to death and action equates to life. This pretty much sums up how being aware, informed, and proactive can consequently save a life.
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When you are looking for information about the HIV Jewish community NYC residents can come to our web pages today. More details about us are available at http://www.talktomeabouthiv.org now.
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