U=U Is Beginning To Crush The Stigma of HIV

Even though it may sound like the hottest new lingo, the U=U revolution has been simmering, rising, and reshaping the landscape of the HIV crisis for decades.

The catchy acronym "U=U," or "Undetectable equals Untransmittable," is a game-changing, universally recognized scientific breakthrough. It's not only transforming the lives of those living with HIV but also empowering us with a powerful weapon in our ongoing battle to eradicate the virus.

Essentially, U=U tells us that an HIV-positive individual undergoing effective treatment and maintaining undetectable HIV levels in their body has nearly zero chances of passing on the virus to a sexual partner, even sans a condom.

Find out what your odds are of catching HIV from a one-night stand if the HIV "top" isn't on medication.

Fast-forward to the '80s and early '90s, known as the "AIDS epoch," the available HIV treatments were more harm than help. They were largely ineffective and frequently resulted in harmful side effects. Those diagnosed with HIV during this period faced slim chances of survival.

Those who did survive battled crippling side effects and enduring psychological trauma from the loss of their loved ones to the disease. We still carry the wounds of this terrifying era.

In spite of the virus claiming countless lives, the epidemic was majorly neglected by the government (predominantly under the reigns of Reagan and Bush) since it appeared to predominantly impact the queer community.

This deafening silence from the federal authorities led to the rise of impassioned activism. Powerhouse groups such as ACT UP sprung into action, staging fervent protests and demonstrations to draw national attention to the burgeoning HIV and AIDS crisis.

A game-changing moment arrived in 1996 with significant scientific progress in HIV treatment. The newly developed antiretroviral treatment (ART) drugs proved incredibly effective in halting the HIV spread within the body. Shortly after, researchers found that individuals undergoing treatment could achieve undetectable HIV levels.

Dr. Julio Montaner, a trailblazing HIV physician, and researcher, ushered in the revolutionary concept of "Treatment as Prevention," aka TasP, in 2006. Montaner was among the pioneers emphasizing that keeping people on treatment could serve as a potent strategy to prevent HIV transmission. The birth of TasP marked the real genesis of the U=U movement.

Over the subsequent decade, ongoing research consistently strengthened the science supporting this groundbreaking concept. In 2016, a band of relentless HIV activists formed the Prevention Access Campaign and introduced the world to the term U=U. Their chief mission? Broadcasting the transformative potential of this revolutionary concept.

"U=U is my life's mission," confessed Alex Carmichael, a crusading lawyer-turned-activist and founder of the Prevention Access Campaign, in an interview with Plus in 2020. "It seized me, stirred my very core, and catapulted me into action. I've never experienced such an irresistible urge or clear vision. I was acutely aware that undetectable equals untransmittable, but millions were enduring needless suffering because they weren't informed, while people with the power to alleviate this suffering sat idle. I was compelled to act."

Reflecting on his personal journey, Carmichael also shared his experiences before embracing the U=U concept. "I battled intense depression and suicidal thoughts. I had internalized the stigma and felt like a walking biohazard," he revealed.

However, a glimmer of hope appeared in 2012 when he learned that maintaining an undetectable viral load through treatment made it impossible to transmit the virus. "That's when I began to envision a future filled with love, intimacy, and freedom from fear. It felt like stepping into a whole new world."

Today, the U=U consensus stands tall, backed by a formidable alliance of over 1,000 partners across 105 countries. Some pretty big names are on board too, like the World Health Organization, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. This powerful movement keeps gathering momentum, reaching new horizons day by day.

Plus magazine's 2022 Person of the Year, Deondre Moore, played a pivotal role in getting the stamp of approval for U=U from none other than the White House.

When Moore graced our cover last October, he delved into how his public remarks at the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS meeting in March 2022 laid the foundation for carrying the message of U=U to the corridors of power.

“Do urge the White House to publicly support U=U, to join the ranks of Canada, Vietnam, and a host of other countries worldwide in choosing facts over fear,” Moore passionately addressed the PACHA assembly.

“Your leadership and backing can help us quantify, enhance, and amplify the life-altering effects U=U has on improving the physical, mental, and emotional health of people living with HIV, not to mention halting new infections. Embracing U=U is a game-changing win for everyone.”

Within a week, the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy approached Moore, requesting his speech transcript. “That's what ignited the early dialogues with the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Fauci, and the CDC, paving the way for a united effort with U=U to declare their endorsement and their intent to embed U=U into programs and federal guidelines,” Moore added.

Not long after, the White House publicized its official backing of U=U — and the campaign continues its powerful march forward, challenging the stigma of HIV and driving transformative change.