An Abuja based man has taken to social media to call out a nightclub bouncer for allegedly denying him entry into the club because of his HIV positive status.
According to the man, the bouncer refused to allow him into the nightclub after allegedly discovering that he is living with HIV. He stressed that the situation was not an isolated encounter, as he alleged that the bouncer had previously confronted the issue after seeing him with a female acquaintance.
He claimed that in the earlier encounter, the bouncer sent a message to the woman which he described as intimidating. The alleged message reportedly added to the tension between the parties and eventually led to the confrontation at the nightclub.
He further claimed that the incident was connected to a previous encounter involving a female acquaintance. The man alleged that the bouncer had seen him with the woman and later sent her an intimidating message, which he said further escalated the situation. He also expressed his displeasure over what he described as discriminatory treatment. While arguing that his HIV status should not determine whether he could access a public entertainment venue.
The allegation has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the reported treatment and expressing concern over discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV.
The incident has also renewed conversations about HIV awareness, particularly the need to dispel misconceptions about how the virus is transmitted and discourage discrimination against people living with the condition. And thus, consequently reignited discussions about HIV related stigma in Nigeria and the importance of treating people living with HIV with dignity and respect.
Notably, The nightclub and the bouncer had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
