the HIV CHALLENGE

I have for the longest time been trying to figure out some rules for this Challenge.
That is because I want to try and let people learn in a safe environment. I want to protect people from the consequences ... of their actions.

Finally - I realized I can't do that.
That is what this challenge is about - THOUGHT about the Actions and Consequences.

I want you as a reader to experience FIRST HAND the stigma, and reactions of society to people with HIV and AIDS.
I want you as a reader to experience FIRST HAND the amounts of ignorance and hatred that are out there, hidden and lurking in corners that you may never have looked around.

IT CAN'T BE DONE SAFELY. YOU WILL FEEL:
CONSEQUENCES
PAIN and ANGUISH
HATERED and LOVE

I have done everything I possibly can to prepare you for this with my Journals and the FACTS of HIV and AIDS.
The original goal and mission of this web site has failed and now I think it will take this CHALLENGE to bring those goals to light.

HERE IS YOUR CHALLENGE :
I want YOU to TELL SOMEONE you are HIV POSITIVE.

Originally, I wanted everyone that was HIV NEG to lie about it and say they were POSITIVE.
Originally, I wanted the first step to be getting an HIV test so you would know it was a lie.
Originally, I wanted to make sure that everyone that told this lie was informed of the facts, and didn't spread any more misinformation or increase the stigma.
Originally, I wanted people to write me with what they found out.

I CAN'T DO THIS.

HERE IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH :

I want YOU to THINK about what telling someone YOU are HIV positive MEANS.

Just consider the Challenge.
Who would you tell? Who would you NOT tell? Why?
Would you try to contain the information? Why?
Think about it ... really think about it.
Are you sure you want to do this?
If it turns out not to be what you thought ~ Can you erase this?
Can you just come clean and tell everyone that you told, that it was a lie?
Would they believe you? Why not? Could you prove it?

I've asked you to think about this.
If you have really thought about this - I am sure that you will not go through with this.
If you are thinking that you still want to do this; I urge you to think some more.
Consider what might happen to someone else because of what you are saying.
Seriously - I have warned you for the last time. Think this through.

If you have decided NOT to take the HIV CHALLENGE ~ Don't feel bad.
Consider this:

This thought process alone has caused a lot of realizations.
You now now how much someone with HIV has to consider ... to think about first hand because the HAVE TO ... regardless ...
You have found all these reasons NOT to take the Challenge.
You have now discovered all the reasons not to Disclose the information of HIV status.
The next time you hear about someone that "Didn't tell", Can you blame them?
If you still think disclosure is a responsibility:
Shouldn't you now begin to try and think of every way you can to make those reasons NOT to tell someone - GO AWAY?
Doesn't this accomplish the same goal as the Challenge?
Can you now see what has to be done to make it possible that YOU would WANT to take the Challenge?

Are you still thinking about taking this Challenge?
Do you really want to do this?
Welcome to the true Challenge.

I no longer care if you have taken an HIV Test ~-~ People assume their HIV status without the test all the time.
I don't want to be the one that causes you to ACTUALLY go in and learn your HIV status for this Challenge only find out that you REALLY ARE HIV POSITIVE. - but - IT DOESN'T NEGATE THE CHALLENGE.

I want YOU to TELL SOMEONE,
YOU are HIV POSITIVE.

Take the Test or Assume you are Negative.
People WITH HIV frequently don't have all the facts about the disease and spread bad information about the virus to others. Or find themselves unable to expose themselves to give that information out.

I just want YOU to TELL SOMEONE,
YOU are HIV POSITIVE.

Find out if the reactions you get cause you to research more; find more information.
Find out if you are more educated then you thought, or at least more educated then you thought everyone else should be.
What are you ready to believe about yourself without looking up facts, or backing them up.
Can you take what others are saying behind your back?
Or worse, to your FACE?

Is it BETTER then you thought?
Is it WORSE then you thought?
How long are you willing to let this go on?

THIS IS the HIV CHALLENGE :
TELL SOMEONE
"I AM HIV POSITIVE."

Then sit back and see what you experience first hand about HIV / AIDS.

Here are the Journal entries where I have talked about this challenge and it's creation - and as close as I have come to someone ACTUALLY taking the CHALLENGE.

0511.05
0512.02