--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And the stigma hasn't really changed that…" description: "\"And the stigma hasn't really changed that much in 31 years. You are still getting people - it's a shame-based disease. It's based on sexual transmissio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/elton-john-849_aids_and-the-stigma-hasn-t-really-changed-tha_2187843.png" --- # And the stigma hasn't really changed that much in 31… ![“And the stigma hasn't really changed that much in 31 years. You are still getting people - it's a shame-based disease. It's based on sexual transmission. And it's still shame-based. And until people feel strong enough and feel loved enough to actually open up and say, listen, I'm HIV-positive…” quote by Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/elton-john-849_aids_and-the-stigma-hasn-t-really-changed-tha_2187843.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/elton-john-849_aids_and-the-stigma-hasn-t-really-changed-tha_2187843.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/elton-john-849_aids_and-the-stigma-hasn-t-really-changed-tha_2187843.png) > “And the stigma hasn't really changed that much in 31 years. You are still getting people - it's a shame-based disease. It's based on sexual transmission. And it's still shame-based. And until people feel strong enough and feel loved enough to actually open up and say, listen, I'm HIV-positive, then we are facing an uphill battle.” [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stigma around HIV persists, hindering people from disclosing status and seeking support, which perpetuates discrimination and health challenges. **In simple terms:** HIV stigma still blocks openness and help. Key Takeaway Reduce stigma to encourage honesty and care. Themes stigma health discrimination support Mood concerned hopeful Type advocacy educational When to use this quote - healthcare outreach - education campaigns - support groups - policy advocacy Key Concepts public health social acceptance mental health Questions to Reflect On - What steps can reduce HIV-related shame? - How does stigma affect treatment outcomes? A Different Perspective Changing attitudes is slow; fear of rejection remains strong. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Hiv positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiv-positive/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Stigma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stigma/) [Strong enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-enough/) [Uphill battles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uphill-battles/) ## Related quotes > [People still think of AIDS as a shame-based disease, it's a sexually transmitted disease, and you're either gay or you're a prostitute or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/people-still-think-of-aids-as-a-shame-based-disease-it-s-a-sexually/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [The pandemic of AIDS is a gender-based disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-lewis/the-pandemic-of-aids-is-a-gender-based-disease/) [Stephen Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-lewis/) > [But until we get rid of that shame, then people are going to stay underground, they are not going to get tested, and we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/but-until-we-get-rid-of-that-shame-then-people-are-going-to-stay/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Because orgasmic sex would lead to women's autonomy, knowing who you are and what we want: Women are not going to follow what some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-dodson/because-orgasmic-sex-would-lead-to-women-s-autonomy-knowing-who-you/) [Betty Dodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-dodson/) > [And Kinsey thought that anybody who defined themselves based on their sexual acts was limiting themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/and-kinsey-thought-that-anybody-who-defined-themselves-based-on-their/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [Hate crimes based on sexual orientation are among the three top reported hate crimes after race and religion, ... Our laws should not ignore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reno/hate-crimes-based-on-sexual-orientation-are-among-the-three-top/) [Janet Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reno/) > [I believe that humanity has an uphill battle to wage in its fight to attain real health, and I honestly believe - from hard-earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vithoulkas/i-believe-that-humanity-has-an-uphill-battle-to-wage-in-its-fight-to/) George Vithoulkas > [You can curl up in the fetal position and try to wish away all the things that need doing, or you can get started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fisher/you-can-curl-up-in-the-fetal-position-and-try-to-wish-away-all-the/) [Noel Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fisher/) > [Given the brief - and generally misleading - exposure most people have to mathematics at school, raising the public awareness of mathematics will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-devlin/given-the-brief-and-generally-misleading-exposure-most-people-have-to/) [Keith Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-devlin/) > [Antigun advocates have always faced an uphill battle in this country. Americans have, to begin with, a constitutional right to gun ownership. Today, half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-kopel/antigun-advocates-have-always-faced-an-uphill-battle-in-this-country/) [Dave Kopel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-kopel/) > [Tackling malaria in a country like the Central African Republic is a huge uphill battle, and my experiences there have been a healthy dose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-moore/tackling-malaria-in-a-country-like-the-central-african-republic-is-a/) [Mandy Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-moore/) > [But you also are facing an uphill battle if you are trying to be the first teacher who asks students to think in class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-burnette/but-you-also-are-facing-an-uphill-battle-if-you-are-trying-to-be-the/) Johnny Burnette > [One of the reasons I'm lucky is to be around an owner like Jerry Jones. I'm not just saying it. The reality of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-romo/one-of-the-reasons-i-m-lucky-is-to-be-around-an-owner-like-jerry/) [Tony Romo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-romo/) > [There's always gonna be another mountain, I'm always gonna wanna make it move, Always gonna be a uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/there-s-always-gonna-be-another-mountain-i-m-always-gonna-wanna-make/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Innovations seem inevitable in retrospect, but at the time it's an uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-livingston/innovations-seem-inevitable-in-retrospect-but-at-the-time-it-s-an/) [Jessica Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-livingston/) ## More by Elton John > [For me music is so passionate. I have to give it my all every time I go onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/for-me-music-is-so-passionate-i-have-to-give-it-my-all-every-time-i/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [No tears to damn you when jealousy burns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/no-tears-to-damn-you-when-jealousy-burns/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [And we have come so far like that. I mean, the advances on the medication side have been enormous, and the advances on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/and-we-have-come-so-far-like-that-i-mean-the-advances-on-the/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, in fact it's cold as hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/mars-ain-t-the-kind-of-place-to-raise-your-kids-in-fact-it-s-cold-as/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-love-the-idea-of-the-teachings-of-jesus-christ-and-the-beautiful/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I'm not bored with my life. I'm not just making the records and touring, I would find that boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-not-bored-with-my-life-i-m-not-just-making-the-records-and/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-love-places-that-have-an-incredible-history-i-love-the-italian-way/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I used to get my money at the end of the week, buy my mum something, or buy a record, and that was it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-used-to-get-my-money-at-the-end-of-the-week-buy-my-mum-something-or/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [We have a society where every hit maker and TV presenter is gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/we-have-a-society-where-every-hit-maker-and-tv-presenter-is-gay/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I'm very relaxed. I'm very happy with my personal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-very-relaxed-i-m-very-happy-with-my-personal-life/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [You can beat her, but don't mistreat her. Oh, don't believe that woman please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/you-can-beat-her-but-don-t-mistreat-her-oh-don-t-believe-that-woman/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [The Backstreet Boys can sing their asses off. I'm not so sure about those other boy bands. But Backstreet Boys have my ultimate respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/the-backstreet-boys-can-sing-their-asses-off-i-m-not-so-sure-about/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I grew up at my grandmother's house, and she had a beautiful garden. I used to hate mowing the lawn and weeding, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-grew-up-at-my-grandmother-s-house-and-she-had-a-beautiful-garden-i/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [ He \[Ryan White\] had a kind of angelic aura about him. And his family, too, it's like, they are going through all this suffering,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/he-ryan-white-had-a-kind-of-angelic-aura-about-him-and-his-family-too/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Welcome to the world of bullshit, my dear. You have arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/welcome-to-the-world-of-bullshit-my-dear-you-have-arrived/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) [Explore all 352 Elton John quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) ## More Aids quotes > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [I donated blood today. That's what I call getting an AIDS test.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/i-donated-blood-today-that-s-what-i-call-getting-an-aids-test/) [Amy Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-schumer/) > [Slavery, if it can be legalized at all, can be legalized only by positive legislation. Natural law gives it no aid. Custom imparts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/slavery-if-it-can-be-legalized-at-all-can-be-legalized-only-by/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [Since I came to the White House, I got two hearing aids, a colon operation, skin cancer, a prostate operation, and I was shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/since-i-came-to-the-white-house-i-got-two-hearing-aids-a-colon/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The European talks of progress because by the aid of a few scientific discoveries he has established a society which has mistaken comfort for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-european-talks-of-progress-because-by-the-aid-of-a-few-scientific/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Women's Aid is a fantastic charity which has my full support. 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