Jorge Estupinan Wrote An Essay About Destigmatizing HIV

For HuffPost, Jorge Estupinan wrote about his experience dating as an HIV positive person. He told Study Hall that the essay is about “the destigmatization of being considered ‘dirty.’” 

In the essay, he writes, “This is why sex educators caution against using the term “clean” to refer to STI status. Referring to people as clean if they test negative implies that they’re dirty if they test positive. This places a moral value on STI status and sexual behavior in general, and not only does it affect the self-worth of those living with STIs, but it also spreads shame and stigma that deters people from getting tested.”