Which do you think faces more discrimination: being homeless or HIV positive?

Ideas or thoughts on this topic? Both groups seem to face heavy ridicule and/or social stigma in present day society. Both groups tend to face blame -- such as people assuming that a homeless person got that way due to drugs, bad decisions, or laziness; or people assuming that someone with HIV was a huge ****, or a needle user, etc. Both groups can face opposition to employment or other necessities due to discrimination by an employer. Both homelessness and HIV involve infringement upon one's necessities to a healthy life(homeless people lacking shelter and warmth from the elements, and HIV positive people sometimes lacking good overall health).

So which do you think is overall worse to be in 2007: homeless with little chance to climb out of it(lack of job skills, etc), or HIV positive(with no available cure)?

Also, which do you think is overall more discriminated/stigmatized: being homeless or HIV positive?

More details: I know of 2 people in particular. The one is a girl in her early 20s that became homeless due to factors beyond her control. It was hard for her to secure a good paying job after college in this economy, her family refused to let her move back home after college, and she got screwed over by roommates along the way(e.g., roommates stiffing her on the rent or live-in bf kicking her out so he could bring in his new gf). Bottom line, good girl, bad luck/circumstances.

The girl that's HIV+ is around the same age. Never did needle drugs, practiced protected sex. Got duped by a HIV+ guy that lied about his test results to not only her but his employer(works in a healthcare setting that requires testing). Got HIV when he "j@cked off" and some of it got in her eye by accident. (found out about it right after the employer found out and then decided to contact her, knowing that they'd gone together in recent past)

I would have to say the homeless. People don't know others are HIV unless they are told. And I ashamed to say this, but I was watching my local news the other day. I live in Chattanooga and they were talking about how a park had been redone and that the homeless being there would not be tolerated. It's absurd how people value their own pleasure so much that they have to kick people with no home out of a park just so they can be more comfortable. I have an idea....instead of kicking the homeless out of the park, why don't we kick the snobs that think they are too good to help the homeless out and replace the park with more shelters.

I would say being homeless - it shows more on the outside.

unless told most people do not realize its HIV.

Homelessness-has a cure unfortunatley Hiv does not
homeless looks worse HIV is worse.

Homeless people because you can work and work better for yourself

HIV what about those kids who were born with this , they were not drug users or people who were raped? They too did not choose this.

These are both hard topics to choose from, but i have to say HIV postive, because when i think which topic is more popular i think of that HIV, it a topic that is constantly thought about. So it is hard to hide from.

hmm, this question really got me to think.

If you were openly honest about both of them, I think each would be equally ridiculed. But since you cant pinpoint who has HIV, and doctors arent allowed to disclose that information, I'd have to say being homeless faces more discrimination. Its kind of hard to hide the fact that youre homeless, and people automatically assume being homeless = being a lazy drunken bum. They never take into consideration that many homeless people once had a house and a family, until something happened that put them on the streets.

Lets see...if I had to choose which one I'd want to live with? thats a tough one. Prices on EVERYTHING is going up while job pay is going down. The economy is in an all time low right now, since the depression, and it doesnt look like its getting better any time soon. HIV can be dealt with but never cured and can ultimately (but not always) lead to a death sentence. I guess if I'd have to choose, I'd pick being homeless only because I could kind of rely on shelters, or live in my car if I had to. I can also rely on my family and I know if something ever happened, theyd let me move back in before they'd let me go homeless. I feel bad for your friend. Her parents dont seem to be very caring if they'd let her live on the streets.

Thats a tough choice, glad I work and wear condoms...I don't care about homeless people, with the exception of being mentally ill. People become homeless because of their choices or decisions, these people are of such poor character that they have screwed everyone around them to the point that no one will even let them crash on a couch. Those people deserve to be discriminated against every chance you get. I suggest urinating on them while they sleep, and smart *** comments. Anyone with a work ethic can find a job, maybe not doing something they like but there is work to be had.

People without HIV for the most part are just too stupid to wear condoms. Some got tricked or lied to by a partner, but most are just idiots.

Tough choice.