HIV+ man infects 300 people

This is exactly why disclosure should be made easier, and those already infected with HIV would feel much better about revealing their status. This is ACON's position on the subject. You can read the whole thing here.

In light of that, the question that has to be asked in the following case, of a man infecting 300 people in the US, saying he "feared rejection", is WTF was he thinking?

If the victim goes on to become infected with the virus - which leads to progressive failure of the immune system allowing life-threatening infections and cancers to thrive - the accused faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

'Mangum admitted he never disclosed he had HIV to any of his sexual partners in Stoddard County,' according to a criminal affidavit reported by the Daily News.

Mangum is alleged to have told officers investigating the allegations that he did not tell sexual partners about his infection because he feared being rejected. Read more

Aside from the fact that he's fat and ugly (was he fucking bears?) You really do have to wonder was going through this guys' head. Perhaps it slowly snowballed and it became harder and harder to disclose his status as time went by? Dunno.

One thing is for sure, if he was living in an environment without HIV stigma, discrimination, and hate, he'd have been much more comfortable disclosing his HIV to prospective partners. In this case, as the punishment is so severe in Missouri on top of the fear and ignorance that evidently exists in the population, he has chosen to remain silent rather than face that. In this sense, the law is counterproductive.

What also I find concerning about the story is the overall tone of it. Complete with a mug shot, it just about strings up the evil gay HIV+ person. That does nothing to combat the ignorance that feeds stigma. Making this guy an example like this would strike fear into anyone's heart about disclosure. 

What's really irksome is that the news article isn't even right as it gives a summary of HIV that just isn't true today. This is what it says about HIV:

- which leads to progressive failure of the immune system allowing life-threatening infections and cancers to thrive

The matter of fact way it says simply that HIV will lead to progressive immune system failure. That's just not true. Medications today keep the HIV virus under control. Again, more demonisation.