A HATE letter telling a HIV sufferer she "CHOSE" (sic) to contract the disease and should "get a job and get out of our town" has left its recipient gobsmacked.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The anonymous typed letter was mailed to Tawonga South resident Cath Smith who contracted HIV in 2008 and describes herself as the Stigma Warrior to reflect her willingness to speak of the virus.
"It was pure disbelief that people could believe you would choose to contract HIV," Ms Smith said of her reaction when she opened the envelope and read the message.
![HIV sufferer Cath Smith has become involved in the Tawonga Riding Club as part of her community activities in the Kiewa Valley. HIV sufferer Cath Smith has become involved in the Tawonga Riding Club as part of her community activities in the Kiewa Valley.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/XJLgPnEdnKaFugZzKyL6Sw/f21d1bdc-902c-4dd6-b160-40344208dfb4.jpg/r1772_52_4636_2854_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"HIV doesn't have a conscience, it doesn't say I'm going to choose this person, it doesn't discriminate and we shouldn't discriminate against those with HIV."
The letter compared Ms Smith to a "lazy leech" and accused of her not being "disABLED" (sic) but being happy to be paid for "Stigma Warrior pathetic speeches because it serves YOU (sic)" and you "refuse to get a real job, pay tax and contribute to society".
Ms Smith, 43, handed the letter to Mount Beauty police and her highlighting of the message coincided with World AIDS Day on Tuesday.
A board member of Positive Women Victoria, a support group for females with HIV, Ms Smith moved from Melbourne to the Kiewa Valley in 2009 and has shared her status with locals.
"I feel I've earned my pension, I do more to contribute to society than the cowards that have written that to me," Ms Smith said.
"I chose last night on the eve of World AIDS Day, after getting advice from police, to go public on social media because people stigmatising HIV stops people going and getting tests and therefore they can't get medication and treatment."
The ambassador for anti-stigma organisation ENUF said won't be deterred by the letter.
"They want me to leave town, but I won't," Ms Smith said.
"I'm thinking about running for local government next year, can they embrace having a HIV positive councillor on the Alpine Shire?"
Ms Smith, who contracted HIV via a heterosexual relationship, said she would be willing to face her sledgers.
"I would welcome them approaching me," she said.
"I don't want it in a public forum.
"I don't want to shame them just as they've shamed me, but I want to help them understand what it means to be living with a hidden disability and not judge someone on what you see."