Self‐disclosure and self‐construction among HIV‐positive people: The rhetorical uses of stereotypes and sex

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Abstract
The Stereotypic tale of the immoral HIV‐infected individual who intentionally has unprotected sex with unwitting partners is well known. In a preliminary study of HIV seropositivity self‐disclosure to partners, HIV‐positive individuals supported this evil stereotype. They used it to their benefit, presenting themselves as ethical and moral individuals in comparison. Still, participants often chose not to disclose but to insist on safer sex instead. By trying to impose safer sex, participants could fulfil their self‐perceived moral responsibility to protect partners, thereby maintaining their positions as ‘good’ people. But partners often pushed to forgo prophylaxis, and this was seen as their informed right. Unprotected sex allowed some HIV‐positive people a chance to experience themselves as ‘normal'—to temporarily reclaim a seronegative identity. Findings suggest that in many cases non‐disclosure is accompanied by honourable efforts to stem disease transmission, and they have implications for theories regarding strategies of image‐ or stigma‐management as practised by members of stigmatised groups.