I Have AIDS Please Hug Me I Have AIDS Please Hug Me

Contributor(s): Center for Attitudinal Healing (Tiburon, Calif.) The History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection Publication: Center for Attitudinal Healing (Tiburon, Calif.), 1987 Language(s): English Format: Still image Subject(s): HIV Public Health Genre(s): Archival Materials Posters Slides (photographs) Abstract: One of the most recognized HIV/AIDS posters ever produced, this image of a child with outstretched arms accompanied by the message, "I have AIDS, please hug me, I can't make you sick," has become a worldwide icon in the fight against HIV/AIDS discrimination. Inspired by the experience of Ryan White, a 13-year old hemophiliac with AIDS who was barred from school in 1985 and became a symbol of the intolerance that is inflicted on AIDS victims, this reproduction of a child's drawing has a disarming quality that works closely with the textual message. This poster reflected the changed tone of the media coverage of AIDS following Ryan White's courageous battle, which helped shift focus from ignorance and discrimination to acceptance and newfound knowledge of the fatal disease. Designed to evoke compassion, the simple yet powerful message in the poster has subsequently inspired a variety of spin-offs used by international AIDS awareness and education programs. Copyright: This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use. Extent: 1 pages NLM Unique ID: 101584655X102 (See in Profiles in Science) Profiles in Science ID: VCBBHD Permanent Link: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584655X102 Archival Collection: Visual Culture and Health Posters (Profiles in Science)