# HIV HEROES

HIV doesn’t make
the news anymore
Today, however, you have the chance
to take the issue into your own hands.
That’s because we believe it needs
to be talked about much more.
The stigma surrounding HIV continues to be
a topic that cannot be ignored.
Despite thirty years of campaigning to halt its spread,
the epidemic continues to grow.
In Europe and Central Asia, there were 80 per cent
more new cases of HIV in 2013 compared to 2004.*
Because HIV is talked about less, the less
of a danger it seems, and the more risks people take.
Also, because it's talked about less, the more shameful
it seems to those who carry the virus.
This month we INJECTED THE Vangardist presses with
the blood of three HIV-positive donors.
A limited edition of 2500 copies of the magazine was printed with it.
(To see how it happened visit www.vangardist.com)
This copy, however, was not. Even if it were,
there would still be no risk to you or your friends –
Just like there is no danger
in shaking the hand of an HIV-positive person.
The virus can only be spread through sexual contact,
needles or live blood entering open wounds.
Yet people are still afraid of getting close to those living with HIV
because they still don’t know enough about it:
It is because of these fears that not all copies of this edition
were printed in such a bold manner.
Today, some people with HIV are concerned about
alienating their loved ones.
Others worry about losing their jobs if an
employer learns of their illness.
Some countries even criminalize HIV-positive people.
These fears stop INDIVIDUALS FROM SEEKING the support they need.
For all these reasons, VANGARDIST would like to
reignite the conversations
about HIV – free from taboo
and discrimination.
* WHO Regional Office for Europe and ECDC - Joint Press Release: “Europe’s HIV
response falls short in curbing epidemic:
80% more new HIV cases compared to 2004.”, 27 NOVEMBER, 2014.