"Stigma is an undesirable or discrediting attribute that an individual possesses, thus reducing that individual’s status in the eyes of society."- Ervins Goffman

"The fear of stigma leads to silence, and when it comes to fighting AIDS, silence is death.  It suppresses public discussion about AIDS, and deters people from finding out whether they are infected.  It can cause people-whether a mother breastfeeding her child or a sexual partner reluctant to disclose their HIV status- to risk transmitting HIV rather than attract suspicion that they might be infected."

- Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, on World AIDS Day, December 2002

Though HIV/AIDS related stigma shares common traits throughout the world it takes many different forms and has different attributes in each place it exists. Here in Vermont where HIV/AIDS prevalence is relatively low the related stigma is predicated by lack of exposure to people living with HIV and the perceived lack of need for education about the disease. Vermont CARES' Get to Know campaign aims to provide education and access to community members who are willing to speak of their personal experience living with HIV/AIDS.