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'People are still afraid of those three letters': Fighting the stigma of HIV

Sep 12, 2026 · David Cox

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

'People are still afraid of those three letters': Fighting the stigma of HIV
Retired rugby star Gareth Thomas, who is HIV positive, came to Rio de Janeiro
Retired rugby star Gareth Thomas, who is HIV positive, came to Rio de Janeiro

That's a quote from former rugby star Gareth Thomas, who is HIV positive. At the International AIDS Conference in Rio this year, he spoke out about the isolation and discrimination tied to the virus.

(Image credit: Ian Cheibub for NPR)

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