When three Florida boys were diagnosed as having AIDS, their barber refused to cut their hair and their house was burned down by neighbors. These reactions may be (1)_____, but other AIDS sufferers have experienced job loss, (2)_____ of insurance, and even (3)_____ by their families and friends. Social scientists use the term stigma to describe the discredit and shame that public hostility can (4)_____ a group of people. (5)_____, AIDS sufferers are often stigmatized. Where do these stigmatizing attitudes come from AIDS forces us to confront our own (6)_____ in a particularly (7)_____ way, because most of its victims are young. Some people (8)_____ feelings of vulnerability by convincing themselves that AIDS victims are not like them and (9)_____ their fate. They define AIDS (10)_____ something that can happen only to members of certain groups. Because homosexuals are already a target of (11)_____, people"s intolerance becomes (12)_____ to victims of the disease. The stigma of AIDS has created a (13)_____ for people who think they may be (14)_____ risk. Should they (15)_____ themselves tested for HIV—and risk discrimination if their test results are positive (16)_____ should they avoid being tested Many people take the (17)_____ course. Even when HIV testing is required by law, many people (18)_____ great lengths to avoid it. The tragic result is that many people who have the virus do not (19)_____ out about it, do not receive treatment, and remain (20)_____ to spread the virus to others.

A. deletion
B. defiance
C. suspension
D. cancellation