IN THE LIFE Presents: The Cost of Stigma (Video)

Here is another entry from the IN THE LIFE video series normally seen on my other blog GLBTQ Jamaica but I decided to put it here and cross post it later as I have a special post for that blog which will make it a record of 1000 posts. Thanks for sticking and staying with me on all three (plus that xrated one) blogs guys.

This month's video looks at stigma in America and as always draw from it what you can the similarities here in Jamaica bearing in mind that the impression that is created that gays overseas have it easy is not all together true.

The Cost of Stigma

The Cost of Stigma

Stigma is the invisible mark on individuals targeted by fear and misinformation. This month on IN THE LIFE, we look at the power of stigma within our justice system and how the myths and fear that spread with the AIDS epidemic gave rise to laws criminalizing HIV transmission. And we meet researchers who consider stigma as a possible key link between bisexuality and poor health.

Legalizing Stigma (14:56:00)

More than 30 states have laws criminalizing HIV exposure, transmission or nondisclosure of an individual's HIV status. IN THE LIFE looks at the stigma and misinformation embedded in laws meant to curb the spread of the disease and the human cost among those who are HIV positive.

Bisexuality:

The Myths and Medical Truths (08:59:00)

The connection between bisexuality and women's health.
It is estimated that there are 8.8 million gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the United States. Researchers have found that bisexual women fare the worst in health when compared with heterosexuals, gay men and lesbians. The state of Massachusetts has taken the lead in looking at this health disparity, and early indications point to systemic stigma and invisibility among bisexual women as its causes.