Leo reminded me yesterday about the re-clamation of the biohazard symbol.
It has always been an agressively defiant yet almost secret symbol in the Gay community. Many Gay Poz Men have it tattoed somewhere on their bodies, in sizes ranging from postage stamp to football size (there will always be size queens).
Its a Tribal symbol 'I am one of the group', its a warning 'I am hiv positive', and its an invitation 'I'm like you'.
The 'real' symbol is a warning against toxic waste, contamination.
As we have always done before, we take the symbol of discrimination and reclaim it for our own.
The world still sees us as toxic, poisonous, dangerous.
The world still sees us as the disease itself and not the victims.
Then we are hiv.
No.
There are so many of us now.
The biohazard symbol is ours to use as a group.
The red ribbon has little or no meaning for us on a personal level any more. It has been taken out of our hands and used and abused by politics, religion and corporate business alike.
I'll wear the biohazard symbol.
.
4 comments:
I think it's fucking hot when poz men have the biohazard symbol tattooed on them somewhere... definitely going to mark myself with that too this year
Yeah I have to agree.... its hot. It also takes away the akwardness at the bar or at the park; its says "I'm poz, I'm still here and you can talk to me about it". I know guys have approuched me just because of the tattoo.
I just got the tattoo on my chest today while abroad in Prague. Look's amazing.
I just got the tattoo on my chest today while abroad in Prague. Look's amazing.
Post a Comment