GLAAD’s Monica Trasandes Debunks Sexuality and HIV Myths

The stories of the Latiné LGBTQ+ community need to be told in English and Spanish Media, and we’re here to be a voice for them.  

Unfortunately, about 87% of American adults believe that there’s still a lot of stigma around the subject and, in a study by GLAAD.org, End HIV Stigma 2021 Report, only 48% of American adults felt knowledgeable about HIV. So we spoke with Monica Trasandes, the Director of Spanish Language & Latinx Media and Representation at GLAAD and this is what she had to say:

“The stats are worrisome! We want people to know that you can live a healthy, happy life with HIV, and we want there to be more knowledge and less stigma to change how people feel about themselves and how they live their lives. Stigma is the opposite of knowledge… It’s an unfunded fear, so we want to work to provide that: more knowledge. More confidence and less stigma.”

What about the sexuality subject?

People should talk about sexuality as a whole. Talk with their sons and daughters about pregnancy prevention and all of those things that are part of life. If we treat [those topics] in a more natural way and we just talk about them, it leads to more knowledgeable adults who are more confident in themselves and who don’t make decisions out of fear.   

About demystifying sexuality:

We take the fear out of sexuality when we talk about it. There should be no fear around it, it should be joyous. Talk to each other to your friends to your peers and your kids about sexuality and about sex. They will be more confident and comfortable with themselves and then they’ll even become an ally. 

If they’re heterosexual too, everyone needs information about sex, HIV and sexual health. Find ways to talk about it! A lot of us did not grow up talking about [sexuality], but make an effort to. It’s so worth it, it’s a gift when you make sexuality a beautiful and perfect way of life. 

What are some steps you can take to support someone living with HIV?

Get to know more of what’s going on with the LGBTQ+ community. Go on Glaad.org and read the study or anywhere else you can. Health and HIV is a huge stigma and that’s a big part of the study. There are medical treatments that now exist, that viral loads are undetectable… if they’re undetectable, they’re untransmittable —science just tells us. There are a lot of changes happening thanks to medications, thanks to the scientific community over the years that have made a huge difference on people living with HIV. So, I think people not understanding the medical advances and what it’s like to live with HIV creates fear in them because they just don’t know. So the first step is to get to know what’s going on. 

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What’s the major misconception?

It’s very important for people who have loved ones who live with HIV to make it loud and clear to everyone that HIV is not transmissible through any kind of daily contact. So there’s still a lot of lack of knowledge on how it is transmitted, and just fear of not knowing that you cannot get HIV through water or the air, a kiss or a hug.

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What are some resources?

-The GLAAD study. Jonathan Van Ness from queer eye was a part of our study. Look him up!

-People sharing their experiences over the years (find more on LATV’s My Health Agenda) 

-Honor 41 for Latinx LGBTQ profiles, some of them are living with HIV. 

“Look for those stories! There are full stories of people living well and healthy happy lives”. – Monica Trasandes

About My Health Agenda: 

My Health Agenda is a space where we can be open, honest and real about our health. LATV Proud is collaborating with members of our LGBTQ+ community to provoke conversations around health that have not always been common but are much needed. We invite you to get to know our special guests Erick, Curly, Jennifer, Dr. Ourian and Vasilios who share their personal, insightful and informative journeys to help us share a common message of encouragement, hope, and love. We want you to feel empowered to take the important steps that bring you closer to your own definition of “healthy.”