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 is the viral strain that leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome at its advanced stage. Usually, it is transmitted through contact with body fluids that are infected. However, there are also perinatal cases where the mother transmits the virus to her fetus during pregnancy.
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.
An unfortunately popular stereotype of this disease is that its something that the LGBTQ community primarily contends with. Its taking the conversation on another level, but this community is not acknowledged and approved in most religions. That is not to disregard the subset that sympathizes with the group, but nevertheless, conservatives still tout their righteousness and insist that AIDS is a punishment accorded to sinful actions.
Which is something thats just plain incorrect, however you may look at it, even in the so called rightful punishment lens. After all, AIDS is transmitted in various other ways besides multiple sexual partners and intravenous drugs. Even if you virulently insist these are sinful actions, theres a considerable difference between consequence and punishment, and those with the virus dont need their suffering augmented by aspersions on their character.
During the peak years of the stigma crisis, most mainstream synagogues failed to respond to the situation. There is no central and collectively accepted authority on HIV association and groups in the Jewish community. Its little wonder how discrimination is rife.
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.
There is a certain synagogue that made a relevant rallying cry, stating that Silence is equal to death, and Action equates to life. No better catchphrase is needed in order to destroy the taboo that surrounds HIV infection. Ignorance is the greatest stumbling block towards this goal, so it pays to be educated and aware.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the viral strain that leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome at its advanced stage. Usually, it is transmitted through contact with body fluids that are infected. However, there are also perinatal cases where the mother transmits the virus to her fetus during pregnancy.
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.
An unfortunately popular stereotype of this disease is that its something that the LGBTQ community primarily contends with. Its taking the conversation on another level, but this community is not acknowledged and approved in most religions. That is not to disregard the subset that sympathizes with the group, but nevertheless, conservatives still tout their righteousness and insist that AIDS is a punishment accorded to sinful actions.
Which is something thats just plain incorrect, however you may look at it, even in the so called rightful punishment lens. After all, AIDS is transmitted in various other ways besides multiple sexual partners and intravenous drugs. Even if you virulently insist these are sinful actions, theres a considerable difference between consequence and punishment, and those with the virus dont need their suffering augmented by aspersions on their character.
During the peak years of the stigma crisis, most mainstream synagogues failed to respond to the situation. There is no central and collectively accepted authority on HIV association and groups in the Jewish community. Its little wonder how discrimination is rife.
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.
There is a certain synagogue that made a relevant rallying cry, stating that Silence is equal to death, and Action equates to life. No better catchphrase is needed in order to destroy the taboo that surrounds HIV infection. Ignorance is the greatest stumbling block towards this goal, so it pays to be educated and aware.
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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.
