Laws that treat people living with HIV or those at greatest risk with respect start with the way that we treat them ourselves: as equals. If we are going to stop the spread of HIV in our lifetime, then that is the change we need to spread.
Interpretation
We must treat individuals living with HIV as equals to create effective laws and inspire change in society.
In this quote, Shereen El Feki emphasizes the importance of treating people living with HIV and those at risk with respect and equality. She argues that genuine change in how society approaches HIV starts with the individual mindset and interactions, highlighting that mutual respect and equality are fundamental to stopping the spread of HIV and implementing effective laws.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for HIV awareness during World AIDS Day.
Some countries have good laws, laws which could stem the tide of HIV. The problem is that these laws are flouted. Because stigma gives unofficial license to treat people living with HIV or those at greatest risk unlike other citizens.
The Millennium Development Goals can be met by 2015, but only if all involved break with business as usual and dramatically accelerate and scale up action now.
Life is not a static thing. The only people who do not change their minds are incompetents in asylums, and those in cemeteries.
The clock has been turned back on racial progress in America, though scarcely anyone seems to notice. All eyes are fixed on people like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey who have defied the odds and achieved great power, wealth, and fame.
What is it you want to change? Your hair, your face, your body? Why? For God is in love with all those things and he might weep when they are gone.
If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.
A life can get knocked into a new orbit by a car crash, a lottery win or just a bleary-eyed consultant giving bad news in a calm voice.
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