This show always struck me as a great form of advocacy for many modern social issues plaguing us today... but this episode took a dark turn from that which left me scratching my head.
In this episode, two characters in a relationship are conflicted because one of the two did not disclose being HIV positive and the other just found out after they've been together for quite a while now. The show then has other characters comforting the HIV positive person saying they have nothing to feel bad about because they're undetectable. The show then tries to advocate for hiding HIV status from a sexual partner, so long as you're undetectable.
Having been diagnosed with HIV myself, this is the most irresponsible thing I've ever seen these show runners do. Fact of the matter is that while being undetectable means there is a MINIMAL risk of transmitting the disease, there is still a greater than 0% chance, and thus it is IMPERATIVE to disclose your HIV status if positive to anyone you have intercourse with, BEFORE you have intercourse.
They had an opportunity to advocate for he acceptance and normalization of HIV positive persons, but instead chose to advocate for being dishonest and hiding such an important thing that your sexual partners have the right to know.
I sincerely hope this topic receives more attention from the community pointing out how inappropriate this is.
In this episode, two characters in a relationship are conflicted because one of the two did not disclose being HIV positive and the other just found out after they've been together for quite a while now. The show then has other characters comforting the HIV positive person saying they have nothing to feel bad about because they're undetectable. The show then tries to advocate for hiding HIV status from a sexual partner, so long as you're undetectable.
Having been diagnosed with HIV myself, this is the most irresponsible thing I've ever seen these show runners do. Fact of the matter is that while being undetectable means there is a MINIMAL risk of transmitting the disease, there is still a greater than 0% chance, and thus it is IMPERATIVE to disclose your HIV status if positive to anyone you have intercourse with, BEFORE you have intercourse.
They had an opportunity to advocate for he acceptance and normalization of HIV positive persons, but instead chose to advocate for being dishonest and hiding such an important thing that your sexual partners have the right to know.
I sincerely hope this topic receives more attention from the community pointing out how inappropriate this is.