The worst stigma is the one we apply to ourselves. If you don't stigmatize yourself, then stigma is just the sign of ignorance. As it is for ethnicity, religion, class, sex, orientation, gender, etc.

So I do have this one friend. He's a young family man. He told me a big secret so I told mine. He never even had a question about it and he seemed unbothered by it. Said he would take it to the grave. I told him it was a hard secret to keep. He said " You'll see." He never brought it up again and makes sure I get hugs from his kids. I trust him and I wouldn't hold it against him if he told someone. I'm not as concerned over who knows as I used to be.

The majority of people that I’ve told over the years have kept it to themselves, similarly I wouldn’t tell another person’s status. Although it wouldn’t be the end of the world if someone said something, it’s all about the trust.

Sure I have I told all my Facebook friends that I have it

I told my two sisters, my father and my stepmother. I will remember the answer from my stepmother for the rest of my life. "I don't mean to hurt your feelings but you deserve it because of the life you led." I hugged my Father one last time and walked out. That was 18 months ago. I grieved the loss of a group of people I had known my whole life. Then realized that I never really knew them at all. And on that day I was free. And I haven't looked back for one second.