This magazine is printed in HIV-positive blood
A magazine has caused controversy by printing an issue in the blood of HIV-positive people, in an attempt to challenge stigma.
German lifestyle magazine Vangardist has printed 3,000 copies of their spring issue using ink infused with the blood of three people with HIV.
The magazine, which is attempting to bring the issue of HIV back into the mainstream with the stunt, says there is no risk of infection from the “100% safe” blood – but copies will be available to the public from newsstands and sent out to subscribers.
A further 15,000 issues have been printed using traditional ink.
A release said: “Despite 30 years of campaigning, activism and research, HIV remains the 6th biggest cause of death in the world. Yet for many people the virus is seen as ‘old news’, with discussion and debate relegated to just one or two days a year when key communities and organisations around the world force the issue back onto the news agenda.
“With NGOs and Governments alike all acknowledging that the social stigma surrounding the disease remains one of the key factors preventing effective management, and ultimately the eradication of the virus, Vangardist believes it is essential that conversations around this topic are reignited.”
Vangardist CEO Julian Wiehl said: “The editorial team at Vangardist is committed to dealing with a wide variety of topics affecting our readers.
“We believe that as a lifestyle magazine it is our responsibility to address the issues shaping society today.
“With 80% more confirmed cases of HIV being recorded in 2013 than 10 years previously, and an estimated 50% of HIV cases being detected late due to lack of testing caused by social stigma associated with the virus.
“This felt like a very relevant issue for us to focus on not just editorially but also from a broader communications stand point.”
