Welcome to
Something Positive for Positive People
supporting people
living with & navigating
herpes stigma
Whether you’re here to get help or give help, we’re glad you made it.
Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free and donation-based herpes resources such as weekly podcasts, support groups, 1-on-1 support calls, virtual and live workshops, yoga therapy, and important stigma-informed training for health professionals. Find the support tool you may need to navigate life with herpes and minimize the damaging effects of herpes stigma.
But first… what is stigma?
Sociologist Erving Goffman defines stigma as a deeply discrediting attribute that reduces someone from a whole person to a discounted one. But stigma doesn’t live in the attribute—it lives in the reaction to it. Negative beliefs and stereotypes attached to certain conditions, identities, or experiences create an environment where people feel devalued, isolated, or ashamed simply for being associated with something others label as bad or undesirable.
Although herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) is a common, manageable skin condition, society often ties it to shame and negative stereotypes about sexuality. This is typically what makes a herpes diagnosis so heavy, leaving people worried they’ll never be loved or accepted. In reality, herpes doesn’t define a person’s identity, worth, or ability to have fulfilling relationships. A stigma-free reality is what SPFPP is here to offer...
herpes and STIGMA enmeshed
GET POSITIVE
SPFPP is dedicated to helping people navigate life with herpes
—and move beyond it.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, our free and donation-based resources are designed to remind you that you are not your diagnosis.
During a1-on-1 support call, you’ll find a confidential space to have your important questions answered. Our yoga therapy sessionsguide you on how to regulate, release, and reconnect with your body. Virtual Men’s and Women’s Support Groups offer a place to connect with people also living with herpes, while our podcast delivers raw, real stories that prove you’re not alone. For health professionals, our stigma-informed training threads compassion into your practice. You’ll also find free resources, such as our yoga video series and access to stigma-focused research. Each resource is a step toward reclaiming your identity, rebuilding confidence, and finding community.
SEE WHAT WE OFFER BELOW
1-on-1 support calls with founder Courtney Brame helps you learn how to disclose your status and talk through your diagnosis—or anything else on your mind. These are donation-based and open to anyone who needs space to feel heard.
1:1 HERPES
support calls
For those who may want to process stigmatized emotions somatically, we offer individualized yoga sessions that include breathwork, movement, discussion, and personal reflection.
1:1 Yoga Therapy
SESSIONS
It’s no secret that men and women experience life a little differently. Our herpes support groups allow men and women to more comfortably navigate life with herpes with a group of same-sex peers who understand what you’re going through.
herpes support groups
With almost 400 episodes, the Something Positive for Positive People podcast shares real stories from people navigating herpes stigma, sex, relationships, and identity—a free resource that normalizes the herpes experience and reduces shame through honest conversation.
top HERPES podcast
We train healthcare providers, educators & organizations how to talk about herpes with greater clarity and compassion. Our workshops include strategies for reducing stigma in both clinical and educational settings.
stigma-INFORMED training
SPFPP conducts ongoing surveys to better understand the emotional and social impacts of living with herpes—using these insights to advocate for more informed care, language, and support services across public health and education.
herpes RESEARCH data collection
more herpes resources
If you’ve had a physical outbreak or clinical herpes diagnosis, we need your help! Taking this survey helps us create resources that truly reflect our community’s needs.