are you ready for the FACTS – Bad Reputation A feminist pop culture adventure Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6 37601771 Markgraf’s World AIDS Day Rampage /2011/12/01/markgrafs-world-aids-day-rampage/ /2011/12/01/markgrafs-world-aids-day-rampage/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:23 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=8715 HELLO, INTERNET.  My name is Markgraf.  In recognition of World AIDS Day this year, I’ve been rampaging all over Cambridge city centre with FACTS, my talented friend Kirsten (who took the completely amazing photographs) and a whole load of mis-behaving paper!

COLD HARD FACTS ON IRRITATINGLY FLIMSY PAPER

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FACTS?  Of course you are.  Everyone should be ready for facts about HIV transmission and statistics, because it’s ignorance that fuels prejudice, and prejudice that shits on people’s lives.
A photograph of a young man holding a placard in a busy town centre. The crowd is blurred out, and the figure of the young man sharp and colourful in contrast. The placard reads, 'FACT: More people than ever are living with HIV in the UK, but prejudice makes keeps them silent and makes their lives extremely difficult'

Fun fact: there’s effective treatments for both HIV and hideous misinformation and ignorance!

A photograph of a young man posing with a placard against a building. The placard reads, 'FACT: you cannot get HIV from a kiss, or by sharing a cup or a plate or a hug.'

…So hug away! :D

A photograph of a young man crouching on a fountain, holding a placard. The placard reads, 'MYTH: Only gay men can get HIV. In 2010, the majority of new HIV diagnoses were acquired heterosexually.'

Can we stop assuming things about people’s lifestyles, now?  Please?

A photograph of a young man holding a placard above his head while standing on the wall in front of King's College, Cambridge. The placard reads, 'MYTH: Lots of people come to the UK for free HIV treatment. No they don't! Most migrants with HIV don't even know it.'

HIV can be spread regardless of anyone’s background or immigration status.  And you can’t seek out treatment for free for a virus you don’t know you have.  Get yourself screened regularly.

A photograph of a young man looking perplexed while holding a placard in a busy market. The placard reads, 'MYTH: You can get HIV from a fish pedicure. What? No! This has never happened and there is no evidence that it ever could.'

I mean, the fish don’t even get anywhere near your bloodstream. And if they do, YOU HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN HIV TRANSMISSION TO WORRY ABOUT AS YOU ARE PRESUMABLY RECEIVING A SHARK PEDICURE.1

AND THAT’S A WRAP, FOLKS.  Pop over to HIVAware for more.

A photograph of a young man looking determined while holding a placard and stepping dramatically into a red old fashioned phonebox. The placard reads, "FACT: More people than ever are living with HIV in the UK, but prejudice makes keeps them silent and makes their lives extremely difficult."

Spread facts, not fear.  Wear a ribbon.  Get screened.

  1. Ed’s note: For those made curious by the fish pedicure placard, this is a misconception that’s currently so widespread, it has its OWN SECTION on the HIVAware Mythbusting FAQ. Yeah.
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