The North Bay Pride Committee has unanimously endorsed the U=U Campaign, that being Undetectable=Untransmittable.

Officials say the U=U campaign is when someone tests positive for HIV, gets effective treatment and the virus is suppressed so they can no longer pass on HIV.

The committee has also adopted the Ontario Accord for the greater and meaningful involvement of people with AIDS and HIV, ensuring those affected are heard.

Both initiatives are about ending stigma and discrimination.

In a release, North Bay Pride says they are the first Pride Committee to adopt the Ontario Accord, while the second to adopt the U=U campaign in North America.

North Bay City Council was presented with the opportunity to adopt the Ontario Accord, November 28, 2017.

A decision to endorse has yet to be made.

Jason Maclennan, media relations for North Bay Pride, said this, “Taking this step to include those living with HIV is very significant because we know those living with HIV face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis. This is not just a World Aids  Day issue or simply take a pill solution. Even today, persons living with HIV have lost jobs, homes, families and communities because of HIV stigma. U=U is part of prevention and the City of North Bay should also endorse this as well as adopt the Ontario Accord, because they are known to be leaders and inclusive. North Bay Pride Committee has taken these steps because we know that over 60% of HIV infections are within the LGBTQ2+ community and with this information of U=U, we know we can end HIV in Canada especially in the City of North Bay. I personally do not understand why the Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments of Canada have not been all over this information because you would think they would want to end HIV.”

 

(File photo)