HIV and AIDS have historically had a negative stigma attached to them, and when it comes to dating individuals who are HIV positive, there are still those who have their reservations. But do those reservations come mostly from a lack of knowledge about HIV and AIDS?
In the video above, HuffPost Live host Alicia Menendez discusses this issue with men who have differing opinions on whether or not they would date someone who was diagnosed with HIV.
One of those men, HuffPost Live guest Carl Sandler, CEO of Mister App and author of the Huffpost Blog, "Dating and Fear in the Age of HIV: "I'd Like to Sleep With You -- and I'm HIV-Positive,'" says he decided to write the piece because not many people discuss the stigma around HIV.
"...the kind of discrimination they face on dating sites and in the real world and the amount of shame that they carry on a day to day basis I felt it was really important to come at the issue from a different perspective and really look at it from how do we begin to have a conversation..."
According to Sandler's blog, an estimated 20 percent of gay and bisexual men are living with HIV. Yet, the embarrassment around the issue hasn't dissipated; in fact, many are still afraid of even discussing what having HIV means.
Jahlove Serrano, spokesmodel for "HIV Stops With Me" said the real issue is that most people know they should have more awareness of HIV and Aids, but in fact very few know the facts.
"The reason being...is because we've been bombarded with this stuff since the beginning of the epidemic. Now, it's like we already know all the information...but its unfortunate because everybody is not knowledgeable although the information is out there."
This segment guests also discussed their comfort with dating those that are HIV positive. What's your take? Sound off in the comments below.
Watch the full segment below: