Eugene Lynch, a gay man living with HIV, recently experienced a distressing incident during a spa treatment. He and his partner were celebrating their anniversary at a hotel, and they booked a massage for the occasion. However, before the treatment began, Eugene was asked to fill out a form that included questions about his medical history, including whether he had conditions such as HIV. Halfway through his massage, he noticed that the therapist was wearing surgical gloves, which made him feel stigmatized and exposed. Eugene later wrote a letter to the hotel explaining why he felt uncomfortable and vulnerable during the treatment.
According to the NHS, HIV cannot be transmitted through contact with unbroken, healthy skin, and people with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot transmit the virus. Despite this, HIV-related stigma persists, and many people living with HIV experience discrimination and misunderstanding in their daily lives. Eugene’s experience is a reminder of the ongoing need for education and awareness about HIV and its transmission.
While Eugene does not know for sure why the spa asked him about his HIV status, he believes that the incident highlights the need for more information and knowledge about HIV. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help remove fear and stigma from the equation and encourage people to learn more about HIV and its management. Charities have worked tirelessly for years to educate the public about HIV, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that people with HIV can live without fear of discrimination or mistreatment.
The incident at the spa serves as a wake-up call to the hospitality industry, which needs to ensure that all guests are treated with respect and dignity. It also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces where people with HIV can feel comfortable and accepted. Only by working together to remove fear and stigma can we create a world where people living with HIV can thrive and live without fear of judgment or mistreatment.