Introduction:
It can be assumed that some beliefs and practices of Islam protect against the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, although acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is no longer a fatal disease globally, the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is increasing due to social pressure in Muslim societies, stigmatization, and marginalization of HIV-positive individuals as well as parallel reasons, such as delay in diagnosis and treatment, and lack of disclosure.

Material and methods:
Since previous sociological studies on HIV are inadequate, the current study was conducted intersectionally within the framework of relational sociological basic principles. Ten LGBT+ immigrant HIV-positive individuals who live in Turkey and agreed to be interviewed were included in the study. Data regarding personalized stigma, negative perceptions, and public stigma were collected with in-depth interviews. These factors are stigma components, which are frequently used in quantitative research.

Results:
Participants from various Islamic countries, such as Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Iran were LGBT+ people with HIV who were sex workers. Classification of strategies for coping with their problems revealed that they had some rational choices, such as not disclosing their HIV-positive status and choosing older customers to reduce violence as well as psychological choices, including relaxing by praying.

Conclusions:
The negative changes that the participants experienced while learning they are HIV-positive and metaphors they used to describe HIV were shown to be culturally and sociologically dependent.