Scarred by Stigma - Victoria

Victoria, 30 | Jackson, Miss. Victoria was abandoned by both parents at a young age and grew up in foster care. When she discovered she had HIV, she convinced herself it was a punishment she deserved for time spent doing drugs. She's been sober since 2008 but has not told family members she is HIV-positive. 'They'd bury me before my time,' she says. 'People here don't want to hear about HIV/AIDS. The stigma is so bad, people feel like, 'If I touch you, I'm gonna get this.' Or 'If I'm gonna eat after you, I'm gonna get this.' And I feel like the government needs to step up and help us more than they are.' Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5