1. VISIT US ONLINE
WWW.THESTIGMAPROJECT.ORG
THESTIGMAPROJECT
OUR MISSION
The Stigma Project seeks to eliminate
the stigma of HIV/AIDS on a global
scale, through awareness, art, provo-
cation, education and by inspiring a
spirit of living “HIV Neutral.”
OUR VISION
The Stigma Project seeks to cre-
ate an “HIV Neutral” world, free of
judgment, fear, discrimination and
alienation by educating both posi-
tive and negative individuals from
all walks of life about the constantly
evolving state of the epidemic. We
seek to reduce the HIV infection rate
through knowledge, awareness, and
effective marketing and advertising.
Ultimately we see a future where the
world is free of HIV/AIDS.
WHAT IS HIV STIGMA?
HIV stigma refers to the HIV-related
shame, fear, prejudice, discrimina-
tion and guilt that exist in the world
at large. It affects the health and
well-being of both HIV-positive and
HIV-negative individuals.
HOW WILL WE REDUCE STIGMA?
Educational and strategic cam-
paigns involving social media,
advertising, and pop culture— these
are the primary avenues in which
we will tackle stigma. Not in a labo-
ratory. Not in a clinic. But on iPads,
televisions, billboards, in magazines,
on the web, and on your Facebook.
Social virility is a phenomenon that
is here to stay. We are seizing this
opportunity through our use of con-
temporary effective graphics and
messaging that the world will hap-
pily want to share, wear, like, tweet,
post, and toast about.
EXAMPLES
± Referring to HIV as “AIDS.”
± Identifying yourself as “clean” when
referring to your HIV status, or com-
bining drug use with your HIV status,
often referred to in online personal
ads as the acronym, “DDF.”
± Dismissing, discriminating, or reject-
ing another individual who is HIV-pos-
itive when they disclose their status.
± Trusting that every sexual partner
will be honest in disclosing their sta-
tus.
± Perceiving HIV-positive people to
be failures, promiscuous, or that they
“deserved” to become infected with
HIV.
± Discussing someone’s HIV status,
whether it is rumor, factual without
their consent or knowledge.
WHAT IS “HIV NEUTRAL?”
“HIV Neutral” is a state of mind,
regardless of your status, in which
you are informed and aware of the
constantly evolving state of HIV/
AIDS. Living a “neutral” lifestyle
is being a visible advocate in the
fight to end HIV and the stigma that
strengthens it. It is putting empha-
sis on the humanity of all people
and not casting judgment because
of their status, positive or negative.
It is standing up, speaking out and
educating others.
​Simply put, it is being able to
make informed decisions about your
social and sexual health. Because
HIV is now classified as a chronic
manageable condition, treatment
is now focused on people living full
and healthy lives.
​To truly live “HIV Neutral,” we
must begin shifting towards a new
way of thinking about HIV/AIDS.
Moving away from thoughts full
of death and sadness and towards
thoughts of life and hope for the
future.
BY THE NUMBERS
Graphics Released: 111
Social Media Followers:13,000+
Countries Reached: 156
People Reached: 3.3 million+
LEADERSHIP
Chris Richey
CEO & Founder
Scott McPherson
CMO & Founder
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ryan Alvarez
Andreas Meyer
Scott McPherson
Dave Reynolds, mph
Chris Richey
MAILING ADDRESS
7119 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite 436
Los Angeles, CA 90046
CONTACT US
INFO@THESTIGMAPROJECT.ORG