Changing people's perceptions of HIV starts with education, advocate says

An advocate for people with HIV says the perception of the illness is still stuck in the past, despite medical advancements.

Gaston Cotnoir, who is with Reseau Access Network, an HIV and AIDS support group in Sudbury, said HIV is still seen as a virus that only affects certain groups such as gay men.

But other populations, such as Canada's Indigenous population, remain at a high risk.

"I think there is a huge stigma associated with HIV," he said.

"It's still around. We hear negative words saying, 'well you play with fire, this is what you get.' And, in all honesty, this is not the reality of things."

Cotnoir will be speaking at an information session tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Laughing Buddha, in downtown Sudbury.

The session will provide information about HIV, how it's treated and who is at higher risk.

To hear Cotnoir's interview with CBC Sudbury Morning North radio show host MarkusSchwabe, listen below:

Morning North6:35The changing landscape of HIV

A discussion will be held in Sudbury about the changing landscape of HIV. Gaston Cotnoir of Reseau Access Network is one of the panelists. He joined us in studio for a conversation about how things have changed for people infected with HIV.

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