The issue that we are facing is discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS. Around the world, there is a belief that HIV is an STD only passed around by homosexual men, drug users, and sex workers. But really, that isn't true. This stereotype came about with the beginning of the disease, whose first victims were a part of those shamed communities. Though the stigma is worldwide, there is still a big problem in Malaysia itself. As Malaysia is an islamic country, the majority of the population feels that homosexuality is a sin, so they would especially frown upon people with a disease marked as "homosexually transmitted". So far, I've seen pretty negligent people, and that surprised me. It goes to the point that people believe only members of the LGBT community receive HIV/AIDS, which is complete and utter foolishness. Some believe that it is a "homosexual problem", such as the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor. Having learned about this (and still learning), this issue makes me feel sympathetic towards the people who have gotten HIV. They never wanted the disease in the first place, and some people didn't even make bad decisions (drugs, unprotected sex, etc.), and contracted it anyways. In the end, what we really can do is raise awareness. It would contribute to the end of the stigma against the victims of HIV/AIDS, which is what we want to do.
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