Bio-hazard

The Bio-hazard symbol as used by Gay Poz Men is a self-designated symbol of discrimination. In much the same way that the Gay Liberation Front re-claimed the pink triangle in the 70's.

But the bio-hazard symbol is used in many different ways for many different reasons. On profiles, on T-shirts, on skin.

My ink is personal, and therefore I thought at the time that it was time to 'brand' myself with the bio-hazard (artistically of course) ....

What for?

A declaration for myself, a message to others, a warning, an invitation.

Biohazard

.


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.
.