After an amazing year working under the auspices of the Stronach Prize and wonderful mentors, I have unfortunately (and unexpectedly) neglected this website. I have been thinking long and hard about the mission and goals of this Project with the intention of realigning resources and strengths without duplicating the efforts of other organizations. I have long stressed the need of creating and fostering a space where people living with HIV, particularly youth and women of color and the transgender community, feel safe and validated. But throughout the course of the project, I found that this was not feasible for the fact that stigma effectively silences their voices. In the midst of budget uncertainty and the increasingly “medicalization” of care, I remain a steadfast advocate for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and support. The face of the epidemic is changing and so should we.

Our generation needs a new batch of leaders to take up the mantle and to continue advocating for change. Participating in this project has challenged and moved me in ways I am still trying to understand. The concept of what makes a great leader has always eluded me and I am sometimes loath to call myself one. I cannot expect of others what I cannot expect of myself. To this end, I will be repositioning the website to be more of a personal/informational blog where I post relevant current events, commentary and my own experiences living with HIV. This will certainly be a learning period for me too as I try to make sense of the world and my own place within it.

In other news, I have also been undergoing a few personal transitions of my own. After working for an HIV/AIDS nonprofit in San Francisco for the past year or so, I will be undertaking a new and exciting opportunity this fall. So stay tuned!

I would like to thank you all for joining me on this wonderful journey. As always, please feel free to contact me at william@beyondstatus.org with any thoughts or comments. I would love to hear from you!

William

For 2011, BTP wanted to raise HIV/AIDS and STD awareness for young Asian and Pacific Islander women. A&PI women are commonly believed to be “low risk” for HIV and other STDs, a misconception perpetuated by health providers and the community. Yet, A&PI women are four times more likely to have an STD than A&PI men. In fact, A&PI women have the highest rate of increase in new HIV infections in the nation and 80% of A&PI women living with HIV got it through heterosexual sex.

So ladies, check out the facts. For more information on HIV and A&PIs, visit The Banyan Tree Project

[UN]SPOKEN is a new digital shorts campaign by the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center uncovering the lives of real Asian & Pacific Islander guys with real sex stories, tangled in raw, unspoken situations. These narratives seek to provide tools for young folks to have safer sex by unsealing voyeuristic snippets of the lives of young men who have overcome real life sexual challenges.

Also, visit their Facebook fan page and Like them. Great job you guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE6EEL4iuYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b1rKoeetYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2JW8lEHIfA

Searching for a new place is never easy. After spending several fruitless months looking for a bedroom to rent in San Francisco, I stumbled upon my first real prospect. This particular room viewing began ordinarily enough: We exchanged pleasantries, made small talk and soon found that we went to the same college and held many similar interests. He worked as a nonprofit consultant and spent the previous summer in India volunteering with HIV-positive clients. I was in my last year of college and eager to become more involved with HIV/AIDS social justice work.

We were both young, socially conscious and the apartment had a great balance of affordability and convenience. I wasn’t just looking for a roof over my head or a bed to sleep on; I was looking for a place to call my own. I thought we had hit it off and I was becoming more and more convinced that this would be a good match.

Seeing that I was enrolled as a full-time student, he asked how I would be able to pay for rent. At the time, I was receiving a partial housing subsidy for young people, which helped defray the high cost of living in the city. Apparently unsatisfied with the fact that I would have the funds to make rent, he inquired further, asking for the amount of the subsidy, its purpose and even the name of sponsoring organization. He then began asking more personal questions, particularly about the HIV/AIDS stigma and education project I was formulating. As I was volunteering the information, I didn’t seem to notice him retreating further and further away from the conversation. As soon as we hit a lull, he pointedly asks, “Are you HIV-positive?”

And I froze.

I have always struggled with disclosure, whether it is with friends, family or potential partners. But I never really paid much attention to whether my HIV-status would, or should, have any bearing in renting a room. So when he questioned my status, I made the snap judgment to err on side of honesty, thinking that if I were a courteous roommate who paid rent on time everything would pan out. The change was immediate and palpable. He became more withdrawn and what started off as a pleasant exchange was fraying with tension. In the end, he said that he would get back to me within the next few days and I left the apartment with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I went back home only to replay the scene over and over again in my head. I was perplexed, wondering if disclosing that I was positive was a wise decision. He wrote back a day or two later, saying he was “uncomfortable” with the idea of being roommates. While we would be occupying different rooms, he was concerned about shared spaces, namely the bathroom. He was worried of contracting HIV through residual body fluids.

It was an outrageous and ignorant assumption, flying in the face of years of research that clearly shows there is no risk of transmission whatsoever. The initial shock slowly gave way to anger. I felt he had no business in asking me that personal of a question. The anger then turned to shame. I wondered why didn’t I say anything and why didn’t I push back and ask him what role, if any, does my HIV-status play in renting the room. I felt alone and embarrassed not only because I lacked basic knowledge about my legal rights, but because I didn’t make a stand.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 prohibit housing discrimination against persons with disabilities, including persons with HIV/AIDS. These acts make it illegal for landlords to deny housing solely based on HIV-status, real or perceived. Unfortunately, because stigma is so widely prevalent, there are no reliable statistics to gauge the level and the extent of discrimination that still occurs today.

Finding stable, secure and affordable housing is part and parcel of maintaining the continuum of care for individuals not only living with HIV/AIDS, but those struggling with other chronic conditions. Having a place to call home not only provides someone with a sense of security and comfort, it also strengthens a person’s overall sense of well-being, increasing the likelihood of making doctor’s appointments and adhering to strict medication regimens.

Housing is a pillar of healthcare.

Finding a place to call home takes many forms. As a queer person of color, I sometimes feel uncomfortable in my own skin. We all strive for, and indeed deserve, a sense of belonging. But what happens when our communities remain silent, indifferent or even hostile to those who do not fit neatly within predefined boxes?

In light of World AIDS Day, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can do much more to address the epidemic. We must be willing to embrace those who may deviate from the arbitrarily-defined norm, we must redefine the boundaries and parameters of our imagined communities and we must approach others with the same level of compassion and open-mindedness that we expect in return. HIV/AIDS discriminates because we discriminate. By further marginalizing those already at the margins — people of color, transgendered folks, the differently-abled and the queer-identified — we continue to perpetuate the relentless cycle of discrimination and hostility.

Over time, I am finding my voice and courage that I lacked then. With the support of loved ones and allies, I feel more empowered to take a stand against both structural inequalities and day-to-day injustices. I am no longer satisfied with merely finding a place to call home. Now, I am no longer afraid of creating a place to call home.

William Ching resides in San Francisco, California and was diagnosed in 2007.

- The National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2010

There is a medical crisis of enormous proportions brewing domestically. Most contemporary talk of HIV/AIDS is focused abroad – and rightfully so. Those living in developing countries often lack the necessary infrastructure, political will and financial resources that all but hinder access to the most basic of necessities. While the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and international foundations and nongovernmental organizations remain committed to abating the epidemic abroad, ensuring those in need retain basic medical care and access to life-saving drugs, HIV/AIDS continues to take an unforgiving toll on our most vulnerable and susceptible populations here at home. Specific demographic groups such as youth, the elderly, women, transgender folks and communities of color are the most at-risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Some statistics:

• 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV (including more than 468,000 with AIDS)
• African-Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Blacks accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2006 and 47% of those living with the disease, yet they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. Latinos account for 17% of new infections yet comprise 15% of the U.S. population, while whites represent 35% of new infections and account for 66% of the total population.
• Young adults and teens between 13 and 29 represent 34% of new HIV infections, the largest share of any age group. Black teens are disproportionately affected, representing 68% of reported AIDS cases among 13 to 19-year-olds in 2007
• Women now account for 27% of HIV infections, with 280,000 women living with HIV and AIDS. Black women accounted for 65% of new AIDS cases among women in 2007 and the largest share of new HIV infections (61%)

While hard-hit areas such as San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles continue to report high infection rates, certain parts of the country such as the deep South are reporting rates comparable, or even surpassing, those of their urban counterparts. Washington D.C., our nation’s capital, has rates higher than some of the hardest hits areas of West Africa. Something needs to be done.

Over the past year, the Stronach Prize has granted me unparalleled freedom and latitude to explore a field of inquiry that has become an increasingly integral part of my both my personal and professional life. In light of current economic turmoil, threats of terrorism, climate change and increasing uncertainty, HIV/AIDS remains one of the most pressing issues of our generation. In particular, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination are intransigent problems that must be addressed.

The blueprint of the Project seemed simple enough: I proposed talking to both medical providers and HIV-positive youths to see where the system of care was lacking. I focused principally on youth and wanted to explore their perceptions of and experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Based in San Francisco, I have made trips to Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C., areas historically hard hit by the epidemic, to speak with various nongovernmental organizations, activists and potential participants; I have conducted my own literature review, brushing up on history and keep abreast of recent medical advances; and I solicited creative submissions and entries from youth at-large. I intended on synthesizing all of my findings into a resource guide that would attempt to fill the gaps in HIV/AIDS education and prevention – but nothing in life goes exactly according to plan.

While winning the Prize and garnering the support of friends and colleagues was a vote in confidence in the vision of the Project, I have not been without my own fair share of bumps along the way. I have the passion, I was familiar with the topic and I was hungry for change – and yet, the specter of doubt always loomed nearby. Outreaching to potential partner organizations proved a lot more difficult than I first anticipated, with time restraints, limited resources and trust being noteworthy obstacles. Many were open to discussing the Project, but not without faint hesitation. And I understood their point of view: I was a recent college graduate with grand plans of eliminating stigma. How could one individual effect meaningful change? Issues of accountability and follow up were also apparent. How could these organizations trust me not only with their institutional knowledge, but their most precious asset, their clients? I suppose I was a little too optimistic to expect these organizations to welcome me with open arms. Trust is key to any relationship and it is no different in collaborating with these organizations. Speaking to youth, too, highlighted the ubiquity and pervasiveness of stigma and discrimination. Several participants I spoke with chose to do so off the record. Many were afraid that their status would become public and were anxious about what would follow. Perhaps I was too naïve to expect youth to readily share their experiences about living with HIV/AIDS without them first having a strong support network in place and role models to emulate.

As an HIV-positive youth of color, I was at a loss how to parlay my own experiences living with the disease as an asset. I would find myself wearing different masks, depending on the context and with whom I was speaking. Would I have to disclose my status when speaking with medical providers? Would my status somehow make me seem more trustworthy to potential interviewees? The personal is indeed political and it was important for any individual to draw clear boundaries. But with a disease as stigmatized as HIV, it was paramount to sometimes take a third-person perspective. During the course of the Project, I have heard and read many disparaging comments that were based on half-truths and some, flat out lies. Many believe that HIV-positive individuals deserved to contract the disease, paying no attention to the underlying causes that exponentially increase one’s risk for it. Others still believe that one can get HIV/AIDS by kissing or sharing utensils. Separating my work from my personal was a challenge, and I often found myself dwelling on these comments well into the night. The core of the Project was to educate others and to dispel stigma – but I would have to face my own demons first. I may be privileged in some ways, namely having a college education, a strong support network, but I am also disadvantaged in others: being a person of color, my HIV-status, etc. It is a matter of negotiating between the two, actualizing my talents and abilities while recognizing where I came from and the people and experiences that have nurtured me up to this point.

Nevertheless, I have incrementally found my voice and sense of purpose. Working with my mentor, Diana Wu, has given me a focus and motivation that I would have otherwise been without had I pursued this Project alone. She has been an indispensable resource, offering potential contacts and partnerships, challenging me to move beyond my comfort zones and most importantly, she reminded me why I decided to embark on this journey in the first place. I am also indebted to Diane Burkholder, Jaime Carillo, John Won, John Compton, Jih-Fei Cheng, David Stupplebeen, Stephanie Goss, Andy Chan and countless of other individuals who have donated their time and resources. Speaking with other HIV/AIDS activists and youth has also reminded me that personal growth is not always linear.

I am proud of the Project’s many accomplishments. I have given talks to groups both in the Bay Area and in New York about HIV; I have been featured in Chinese language paper, Sing Tao; and I have participated in two national anti-stigma and testing awareness campaigns. But the website will remain the crowning piece of the Project. Through it, I have centralized all information and to date, over 6,000 visitors from 36 countries have browsed the site. Social networking is a must in order to reach generation who are getting more and more technologically savvy. Having an online presence increases its reach and affords anonymity to those who need it the most. While many visitors may not directly interact with the website (e.g. submitting posts or leaving comments), the statistics show that we are being heard here and around the world. I also used Facebook and Twitter as mediums of communication, garnering a combined following of approximately 500 followers. I have learned how to leverage social networks in order to amplify a message or to initiate a call to action. I have raised over $1000 through these mediums alone.

Connecting with youth and other activists across the country was also an invaluable experience. It is their insight, passion and dedication that have sustained me throughout this Project.

I never would have imagined that I would have a chance to spend a year on something that I consider dear to my heart. I also would never have imagined that I would want to dedicate the rest of my career to not only combating stigma, but also addressing the other health disparities affecting our communities. The Prize allowed me the opportunity to focus on a specific problem and gave me the creative license to approach it in novel ways. I have had the opportunity to conceptualize, plan and execute an independent project founded upon my undergraduate studies and informed by lived experience. But more importantly, I have a clearer idea of where to go from here.

At this point in time, I have realized that our community needs role models. I may be able to speak about stigma and unequal access to care, but unless someone is able conceive and implement a comprehensive and holistic strategy, many more individuals will continue to fall through the cracks. This Project compels me to take a stand and speak up for those whose voices have been silenced. I intend to continue working on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and stigma. I have many ideas on how to build upon and extend the work that I, and others, have done. I hope to continue speaking and writing about my experiences (and this Project); to start a local peer-driven support group; to interview and honor activists who have redefined and strengthened our visions of communities when the epidemic was the worst in the 1980s and 90s; to bridge the disconnect between domestic and international AIDS work; and to document individuals who not only tirelessly work to protect the next generation of youth from HIV/AIDS, but also those who are coping, living and thriving in spite of their status.

Stigma does not arise in a vacuum. It is born out of our fear of the unknown. It feeds on our unquestioned prejudices. It reproduces through our silence and hesitation to act. All of us living on the margins deal with prejudice in all of its flavors: racism, sexism, ableism, trans/homophobia, xenophobia and etc, but it is how we choose to respond to ignorance that determines our character. We, as a community, can continue to turn a blind eye and cast blame and judgment on individuals living with HIV/AIDS. But the disease won’t flinch and it won’t hesitate, much less retreat. It will continue to affect our family members, our friends and our lovers. It will remain a poignant reminder of our failure to act.

I speak in the collective “We” because we are inextricably bound to one another through our common humanity. I speak in the collective “We” because we are someone’s keeper, whether as a sibling, guardian, lover or friend. I speak in the collective “We” because I believe we are capable of unbelievable compassion, love and solidarity.

The struggle continues and we must do our part. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.

Sincerely,
William C. Ching

View/download the PDF version (with pictures) here.

What makes HIV/AIDS so deserving of time, money and attention? “HIV/AIDS exceptionalism,” as it is colloquially known, contends that since incidence rates in the United States have remained more or less steady, it no longer requires the same amount of time and money invested in it compared to the 1980s and 90s. While the numbers do not lie, the devil is in the details. I have learned that not only are communities of color, women and the queer-identified are continually be disproportionately impacted, older Americans make up an astonishing amount of new cases. Medical advances have extended lives; it is has granted a semblance of normalcy for those living with HIV/AIDS, but the funding has not kept pace. There are over 1000 individuals currently on waiting lists for AIDS Drugs Assistance Programs, the most since 2004. Moreover, San Francisco’s population is aging and reflects broader trends across the country and indeed in other industrialized societies. Little research has been done to investigate the long-term toxicity of antiretroviral medication, even less research has been conducted to see how HIV and natural aging affect each other.

I have written an entry for Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP) to commemorate National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which occurred on May 19 (link below). As I was composing the entry, I was reminded of how difficult, if not nearly impossible, it is to divorce the personal from the political and that to tackle HIV/AIDS requires a complex and multilayered approach that is outside the scope of any one individual. There is a plethora of funding streams that distribute billions of dollars in HIV/AIDS funding to local governments, intermediary contractors and community-based organizations, all of which compete for the same funds. Red tape and cumbersome bureaucracies make it all the more difficult to allocate funds to services that need it the most. It is a little difficult not to become slightly jaded to see how political will does not match lived realities, how political machinations and personal agendas further complicate the process.

So what makes HIV/AIDS exceptional? HIV/AIDS requires the time, money and attention because it is a disease for which there are proven methods of prevention and care. It deserves our attention because there are tens of millions of individuals around the world who are currently living with it. And as long as this disease continues to ravage the most vulnerable members of our society, those with the means to fight should and shall continue.

In other news, I have applied for a travel grant to attend a community forum about youth, sex and HIV at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sincerely,

William

http:// apaforprogress.org/asians-pacific-islanders-hiv-youth-and-stigma

HIV/AIDS is no longer a “gay white man’s disease.” Globally, the epidemic has struck down an entire generation of future leaders, movers and shakers, especially in developing countries. In the United States, the severity of epidemic has been tempered. Nationally, infection rates have remained steady and in some areas have dropped noticeably. Today, HIV/AIDS is touted as a chronic but “manageable condition.” But beneath the thin veneer of medical triumphalism, the disease has mutated and found more vulnerable pastures, disproportionately affecting communities of color, transgendered folks, women and the elderly. As a queer youth of color, how do I reconcile the complications that arise from the intersecting and, often times, contradicting conflation of racial identity, sexual orientation and HIV-status? How can I in good conscience stand by idly when up to one-third of APIs do not know their HIV-status, and thousands more are unable to get lifesaving medical treatment?

Testing positive has proved to be one of the most difficult moments in my life. It was a time filled with shame and weighed down by questions of how, when, and even more elusive, why. These questions continue to follow me to this day. Coming to terms with one’s status may be a lifelong process, and some will undoubtedly have more difficulty than others. But for me, an HIV-diagnosis engenders some uncertainty, and with uncertainty often follows fear.

I secretly fear for my family. I fear others will judge or shun them while my HIV-status is mine alone to bear. I fear losing future job prospects, finding housing, the unknown long-term effects and the financial impact of antiretroviral therapy and of matters of the heart, finding a partner that will love me in spite of my status. On a more fundamental level, I fear that my status will come to limit who I am.

Personal experience has shown me that the one often overlooked component of HIV/AIDS education and prevention is stigma and I have seen first-hand how it impacts Asian & Pacific Islanders (APIs). HIV-positive APIs not only have to navigate a cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive healthcare system; most of them must live a life of silence, fearing becoming social pariahs should their family and friends ever find out about their sexual orientation and/or HIV-status. The lack of community resources and resolve will only continue to marginalize individuals who identify as queer, a woman, transgendered and/or a drug user. We as a community can do better. We must strive to be better.

You do not have to be HIV-positive to feels stigma’s detrimental effects. The fear it creates erects higher barriers to testing and treatment. It speaks to the lack of culturally and linguistically competent health care professionals. It maintains the monolithic and static perception of an Asian/American. It highlights our collective failure to truly foster dialogue and create healthy and safe spaces where we are able to explore and develop not only our identities, but our sexualities. Stigma is one of the primary factors that explain APIs’ abysmally low testing rates, when in reality APIs make up a startling amount of newly diagnosed cases, especially in San Francisco.

Stigma does not arise in a vacuum. It is born out of our fear of the unknown. It feeds on our unquestioned prejudices. It reproduces through our silence and hesitation to act. All of us living on the margins deal with prejudice in all of its flavors: racism, sexism, ableism, trans/homophobia, xenophobia and etc, but it is how we choose to respond to ignorance that determines our character. We, as a community, can continue to turn a blind eye and cast blame and judgment on individuals living with HIV/AIDS. But the disease won’t flinch and it won’t hesitate, much less retreat. It will continue to affect our family members, our friends and our lovers. It will remain a poignant reminder of our failure to act.

I speak in the collective “We” because we are inextricably bound to one another through our common humanity. I speak in the collective “We” because we are someone’s keeper, whether as a sibling, guardian, lover or friend. I speak in the collective “We” because I believe we are capable of unbelievable compassion, love and solidarity.

The struggle continues and we must do our part.

This letter home will list some quick updates and comments.

I am still trying to procure a fiscal sponsor in order to receive an organizing grant from Campus Progress. Finding a sponsor has been more difficult and time consuming than I first anticipated. Campus Progress requires that a 501(c)3 organization administer the grant, but it looks like the current economic climate and severe statewide budget cuts have impacted both the personnel and the financial resources of the organization I am hoping to partner with. I will continue to pursue actively engaging this organization and to use the award to supplement my project efforts.

I was recently asked by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) in San Francisco to join a review board that will be vetting literature and publicity before they will be released to the public. One grant stipulation, from the Center of Disease Control, requires APIAHF to convene a board of community members who review materials to ensure that its contents are appropriate, relevant and not offensive to target communities. I am excited to be a part of this endeavor.

I have also worked with the Banyan Tree Project, also in San Francisco, in crafting their script for their 2010 public service announcement targeting Asian Pacific Americans and encouraging them to get tested. I was honored and happy to participate in their public service announcement last year, a video that has been broadcast nationwide and which its still photographs have been published magazines. You can also view the video on my website.

Additionally, the English translation of the interview I gave to Sing Tao is now available online. I was asked about my experiences with the project and about HIV/AIDS within the APIA communities in general for World AIDS Day. You can view the translation here: http://reportingonhealth.org/fellowships/projects/hivaids-among-asians.

I am continuing outreaching and soliciting comments, opinions and submissions from youth. I am also conducting a literature review, particularly brushing up on the historical development of HIV/AIDS domestically and abroad. I am also keeping abreast developments in social and science progress in HIV/AIDS as they develop.

And finally, I would like to share a comment I have received on February’s letter home, which I found to be wholly reaffirming:

I loved your article. What connected with me was when you’ve mentioned, ” framework around HIV/AIDS and how it intersects (and further complicates) racial/ethnic identity both in its formation and expression. He proposed the concept of “falling out of time.” you basically summed up in essence my main argument/idea/understanding of identities for HIV+ queer youth of color.

I thank you for your writing on such issues– as I am a person who is HIV+ Black queer women so much appreciated. To make a long story short, I was born with HIV…. and you can imagine my struggle in navigating in society. Will you please post more information about personal stories, identities, and society stigma for queer youth of color living with HIV thank you.

Well, I hope one day to create a platform for other youth who’ve experienced many hardships and in some of what I’ve experienced .in life. I am really grateful for your words, stay blessed peace and love

Keya

Until next time.

Sincerely,
William Ching

• HIV-Positive Indiana Man Faces 15 Additional Nondisclosure Charges: A man who admitted having sex with two women and not telling them he has AIDS is facing 15 more felony charges in Johnson County
• UNAIDS finds that criminalizing homosexuality boosts global HIV rates: “Michel Sidibe, the head of UNAIDS, said ‘it is unacceptable’ that 85 countries still have laws criminalizing same sex relations among adults, including seven that impose the death penalty for homosexual practices.”
• The Food & Drug Administration is revisiting restrictions on blood donations by gay men, a ban “enacted in the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the United States, impose a lifetime ban on men donating blood if they’ve had sex with another man at any time since 1977.”
• And speaking about the criminalization of HIV/AIDS, Criminal HIV Transmission has a blog post about the launch of the Asian AIDS Law Database, “a free, user-friendly resource, searchable in Chinese and English, to help researchers to find HIV/AIDS-related statutes throughout Asia. It is the first database exclusively dedicated to this purpose.” You can view the database http://yazhoudiaocha.com/laws.
• Insurance company allegedly targeted HIV-positive people and dropped coverage: “Last September, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a verdict against the Fortis Insurance company for revoking South Carolinian Jerome Mitchell health coverage after he tested HIV positive. The case has helped expose a Fortis—now Assurant Health—policy of targeting policyholders living with HIV and dropping their coverage.”

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