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Disclosure at School and the Workplace For Youth Living with HIV

Learn how to navigate disclosure of your HIV status at school and work, with tips for talking to authoritative figures, friends, and peers. Gain knowledge on the benefits and challenges of disclosure, and find safer places to share your status.

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Disclosure at School and the Workplace For Youth Living with HIV

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  1. "So far, I've never really had a problem with anyone I have disclosed to. It might be sheer luck, but I suspect that a lot of it has to do with my attitude. Among those I know in my "diagnosis cluster," some of us have the attitude, 'I'm HIV positive. It's a medical condition. I'm not going to let it affect you. I'm still the same person I was before HIV entered my life, and I'm proud to be that person.' ....

  2. Disclosure at School and the Workplace For Youth Living with HIV Sponsored by: AIDS Alliance for Children Youth & Families

  3. Meet Our Team Cristina Jade Pena • Born and raised in Los Angeles & ran away to San Francisco 4 years ago. • In love with studying and performing, “Raqs sharqi”- classical Egyptian dance

  4. Meet Our Team Yuri Velasquez • Grew up in the Bronx, currently lives in Miami, FL. • Wants to establish an HIV Prevention coalition in his native, Nicaragua.

  5. Meet Our Team Dee Borrego • Lives in Boston, Massachusetts • Dee is an avid linguist and loves to knit & cross stitch in her free time

  6. Meet Our Team Shantrell Jackson • Lives in Atlanta, GA • Believes that if she can encourage one person in her community into being sexually responsible, than her work is not in vain.

  7. Meet Our Team Jahlove Serano • Lives in New York City • He uses his entertainment as a platform to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education throughout the United States.

  8. Meet Our Team Sophia Black • Lives in Washington, DC. • Loves working with the community especially youth • “If I won the lottery, I would move to Paris!

  9. “In the past HIV has been seen primarily as a health issue, but we have learned through the effects of for example, stigma and discrimination, that it is a much broader issue. It is very much an economic development issue and, above all perhaps, a human rights issue.” Dr. Sophia Kisting (Director of the ILO Global Programme on HIV and AIDS and the world of work)

  10. Disclosing at school to an authoritative figure

  11. Disclosing at School Reasons we choose to… • For additional support and understanding • For health related reasons • For additional support in our studies and school activities (ex. Sports, performing arts, clubs etc.)

  12. Disclosing at school to friends/classmates, roommates, peers

  13. Tips for Disclosing at School • Be sure to consider the 5 “W’s” : who, what, when, where and why • Tell them you have something important to tell them • Request that what you’re going to discuss be kept in confidence • Keep what you say as simple and as direct as possible • Tell them why you want them to know • Offer to answer any questions they may have • Don’t be afraid to express yourself and let them know how important this news is to you

  14. Disclosing at work to an authoritative figure

  15. Disclosing at work Reasons we choose to… • For additional support and understanding at your job • For some flexibility in your work schedule for doctor appointments • For additional information on how to properly address work-related injuries

  16. Tips for Disclosing at Work to an authoritative figure • Unless your HIV status affects your current ability to perform your job, you are under no legal obligation to disclose your status to your employer • Consider very carefully what your purpose is for disclosing your status to your employer • Stress that you’re requesting that what you’re going to discuss be kept in strict confidence • Mention if you may need a particular accommodation such as occasional time off for an appointment • Tell your boss that you will make every effort to insure that your work is properly covered and that you’re committed to doing your job reliably and well

  17. Disclosing to friends, close co-workers and peers

  18. Both Sides of Disclosure Benefits/ Advantages Challenges/ Disadvantages • Extra support/Understanding • Feeling of relief that someone else knows • Reduce feelings of isolation • Stronger/ closer relationships with trusted co-workers/ classmates • Bringing more awareness to HIV • Someone else may be able to offer new ways to think about you situation • Having someone to talk to • Rejection from classmates/ friends or co-workers • Discrimination- telling people indiscriminately may affect your life in ways you haven’t considered. • HIV criminalization • Becoming the subject of gossip • In a small community/ or rural area confidentiality will likely to harder to maintain

  19. Safer Places to Disclose • Alone with a close friend in a private, safe or neutral environment • Face-to-face • With a trusted co-worker, colleague, or friend • After trust and respect is established • When you’re feeling good both physically and emotionally to share this information “To disclose or not to disclose that is the question?”

  20. Solutions • You don’t have to tell everyone. Be selective about whom you tell, why and when you tell them. • Know your resources- Have an understanding of the laws regarding your privacy rights before disclosing. (See our resource guide for additional information) • Before disclosing, you might consider discussing with a counselor or some trusted person outside of your regular life about how to proceed. • There’s no perfect roadmap for how to disclose. Trust your instinct, not your fears. • Millions of others have dealt with this experience and have found their way through it. You will get through it too.

  21. Solutions • We are not experts in the legal issues surrounding disclosure and we suggest you may want to contact an expert as you go through this process. We have developed a list of some resources for more information and to help you identify experts regarding issues in your area. • This resource guide is also on our website at www.aids-alliance.org

  22. Helpful ToolsResource guide created to assist youth in finding support around disclosing at school and at work in addition to their day-to-day lives

  23. Helpful Tools Created by AIDS Alliance Youth Advisory Council- 2012

  24. Helpful Tools Created by AIDS Alliance Youth Advisory Council- 2012

  25. Helpful Tools Created by AIDS Alliance Youth Advisory Council- 2012

  26. Q & A We’re here to answer any questions that you may have….ask away! Handouts: www.aids-alliance.org Email Sblack.aidsalliance@gmail.com with additional questions

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