Outing
In dialog with our experts
Lisa Tschumi
Lisa Tschumi knows the everyday challenges that people with HIV face: she advises, accompanies and supports people with HIV at Aidshilfe Bern
December 2023
At my last appointment as part of my HIV treatment, I met an acquaintance in the corridor who works at this hospital. So far, I've only told my close friends about my diagnosis and I want to keep it that way. However, I'm afraid that the friend who works at the hospital now knows that I'm living with HIV and will tell others. What can I do in this situation?
Lisa Tschumi: There are two aspects to your question: data protection and HIV coming out.
Regarding HIV coming out: Even in personal relationships, you alone decide with whom you share your HIV status and with whom you do not. Talking about HIV can be an opportunity and a relief, but it also requires courage and trust. And because some people still have outdated images, stereotypical ideas and too little knowledge about HIV, it also carries risks. Their approach to the diagnosis is therefore completely understandable. What can be helpful for people who are still coming out of HIV is to talk to an experienced peer who is also living with HIV. Peers can, for example, support you in preparing for and coming out. Data protection: Unfortunately, data breaches don't just happen at work, in the health or social sector or in connection with social insurance, but also in the private sphere.
What can be helpful for people who have yet to come out of HIV out is to talk to an experienced peer who is also living with HIV.
And they are also painful in a personal environment and unlawful under Art. 28 of the Civil Code. If you want to take action against a data protection violation, there are two ways: you can admonish the person in writing or in person and draw attention to your rights and possible legal consequences and / or you can file a complaint with the court (in the case of private individuals) or a criminal complaint (in the case of persons with professional or official confidentiality). Regardless of which route you wish to take, the regional advice centers for people with HIV or the legal advice service of Aids Hilfe Schweiz can support you. A data breach cannot be undone, but it is usually possible to prevent worse things from happening. Data protection violations, like all other HIV-related discrimination, should be reported to Swiss AIDS Federation via the online reporting tool - anonymously or with contact details.
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