Life, love and HIV: the women's symposium on HIV and AIDS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Although there is a lot of 'knowledge' about AIDS in circulation, this paper argues that much of it excludes women's distinctive experiences which are illuminated by a feminist perspective. It illustrates these claims through interviews and discussions with a number of HIV+ Scottish women about their personal relationships, their experience of health care, and their hopes for the future. 'Safe sex' and disclosure of status pose particular problems for women attempting to negotiate responsible risk reduction behaviour in relationships marked by imbalances of power. Women only support groups are an important source of solidarity for those who are often isolated and stigmatised by their 'positive' status, and the video made by one such group, here discussed, demonstrates how they can teach others, whatever their status, to live with HIV.