The self-stigma of being young, HIV+ and gay

Friday, April 12, 2024 | 780 Views |

Sharing experiences: Sekisang PIC: FACEBOOK

Stigma against People Living With HIV has been understood to mean discrimination and unfair treatment from other people against the infected. Twenty-year-old HIV activist, Pontsho Sekisang, shares her journey of self-stigma after testing HIV positive. NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

From when she was born in 1997, Sekisang believes she was gay. Although she was born male, she felt more of a girl than a boy, which made her believe she was born special.

Speaking this week at the launch of a study into the stigma faced by People Living With HIV (PLWHIV), Sekisang explained that when she was in Standard Two, she felt different and had a crush on another boy.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

hiv and aids

BNF settles Sefhophe candidate dispute

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 21 h ago

Don’t let my legal woes shake you – Balopi tells BDP

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 21 h ago

BDP congress faces Balopi removal hurdle

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 21 h ago

BDP prepares for major October changes

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 21 h ago

FMD dampens Gaborone independence celebrations

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 22 h ago

FMD crisis: We must fight as one

The Monitor Editor | 22 h ago

Study shows reprogramming thyroid tumors may improve CAR-T cell therapy

Kalafhi Medical Centre | 22 h ago

Your actions season the feedback taste

Kealeboga Ngwigwa | 22 h ago

FMD crisis: We must fight as one

That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

The Monitor Editor | 22 September 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

The self-stigma of being young, HIV+ and gay

Stigma against People Living With HIV has been understood to mean discrimination and unfair treatment from other people against the infected. Twenty-year-old HIV activist, Pontsho Sekisang, shares her journey of self-stigma after testing HIV positive. NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

Explore

More

BNF settles Sefhophe candidate dispute

Don’t let my legal woes shake you – Balopi tells BDP

BDP congress faces Balopi removal hurdle

BDP prepares for major October changes

FMD dampens Gaborone independence celebrations

FMD crisis: We must fight as one

Study shows reprogramming thyroid tumors may improve CAR-T cell therapy

Your actions season the feedback taste

FMD crisis: We must fight as one