[Dimensio]

But why does the WP make this contention? I personally do not see a bright side to the allegation; certainly those few people who believe taking the AIDS cocktail 8 times a day is a good thing, are sick individuals indeed.

I don't think that there is a "bright side" to the allegation, I think that it's a rumour or urban legend that's starting to take form fueled by its shocking nature.

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find real people who think of HIV as a "badge of honour". It's being reported by the WP (and other organizations) because it's a current rumour and it's very disturbing.

[Nonstatist]

It's being reported by the WP (and other organizations) because it's a current rumour and it's very disturbing.

Really? But the WP does not always report "disturbing rumors", especially if it is adverse to current editorial thinking on a subject, or unhelpful as far as propagating misunderstanding and bias, etc. Somebody, somewhere, thinks this is "cool" thinking. You know, Solidarity, Brotherhood, Victimhood and all that.