The HIV Epidemic and Gay men.

[bankside]

I think we live in a gay subculture where two strangers are more likely to get together and fuck each other than go to a movie and get to know each other. That's why we have persistent HIV infection. That's the education piece that's missing. Because as difficult as it is to talk about race and HIV, suggesting anything other than Harm Reduction orthodoxy of "wear a condom while you fuck another random stranger" is even more impossible. You end up being told you're blaming the victim, or anti-sex, or judgmental, or hetero-centric whatever that is.

The truth is I want people to enjoy sex and not be uptight about it. But getting a disease is not how to enjoy sex. The sexual skill we don't teach is where to draw the line so you don't get HIV or pass it on to someone else. And it is a skill we need to start teaching.

First thing is to burst people's illusions about testing. "I got tested 2 months ago and four guys ago! I'm 'clean' Yaaaay!" Bullshit. Testing doesn't protect you from HIV, and it doesn't stop you from passing it on if you've slept with more than one guy since your last test. Once you sleep with someone you need to wait and get tested again.

 

[Benvolio]

Comparing penicillin and vaccines is comparing apples and oranges.

You should rather compare it with other vaccines. Many of them have a much better track record.

You completely misunderstood my post.

 

[KaraBulut]

Fortunately, this wasn't an advice thread because it's gone so far off course that I'm not sure where it's going.

One common theme- and it's been the common theme for 30 years is that there are always lots of opinions about why HIV continues to persist but little seems to be be done that improves the situation.

Some things have gotten better in 30 years. Certainly, everyone is aware of now that this is a virus that is transmitted primarily through sexual activity. We don't have crazies running around anymore suggesting that we lock up people with HIV or that we criminalize homosexual activity (well, except in Uganda). Gay people now have choices- they can even marry in some countries and in a few states in the US.

Yet, HIV persists. Infection rates are lower in some socio-economic groups. They're disastrous in other socio-economic groups.

We still have quite a ways to go. Everyone has their ideas about what the problem is. Seldom, however, does anyone promote solutions or suggest ways to change things- aside from a few members who are still active in public health or in HIV awareness initiatives.

 

[Laufey]

You completely misunderstood my post.

Yes I did, sorry.