The Hype re: the New HIV Strain

Okay, don't take me wrong but I think something insedious is going on. Let me explain what I mean. About 2 weeks ago, it was reported that a man in New York City is carrying a Super Strain of the HIV virus that morphed into AIDS in approx 2-6 months (usually it takes 10 years or so). And, 4 out of the 5 coctail treatments (its called coctails because two or more treatments are used together) used to treat the virus don't work on the man. And, the man has admitted to drug binges where, in orgies, he's had sex with hundreds of men in a few months. And, the press is eating this up.

Dr. Gallo, you know, THE Dr. Gallo, the man who discovered the virus in the first place, said that this whole thing is being blown completely out of proportion because only one, count it, ONE man, has encountered this phenomena. He thinks unless more men are tested and discovered with this new strain (so far no one else has it) then its probably the result of this particular man's unusal immune system not being able to ward off the virus to begin with. At least, that is the hope of many (including myself).

So what's my point? Well, it seems a few commentators, such as Cal Thomas, are blaming all gay men for not taking personal responsibility for their sexing about and implying that its all our own fault. Other writers are calling this "a wake-up call" and reminding everyone that we gay folk have become too lax in our sexual experiences and need to reign in our desires. You see- one case and suddenly everyone has an opportunity to blame gay folks for AIDS, as if, "See, its always been your fault, so don't expect any sympathy from me (or a reduction in the high cost of anti-viral therapy, for that matter)." This sort of hyper reaction fosters an attitude of decreased sympathy and compassion.

So you say this is just another example of homophobia, "What's the big deal?" you ask. Well, get this: The Bush Administration believes that the best way to decrease HIV infection is through abstinence-only educational programs where condom and safer sex education is forbidden. According to the Center for Disease Control, 40,000 Americans are infected with HIV every year. 50% of those are men who have sex with men. So, that's 20,000 new HIV infections who are either gay, bisexual, or men on the down low (shhh, don't tell anyone). 50% of those infections (10,000) are among people under the age of 25! And, get this.. because it's real scary.. 50% of those cases (of the 10,000) are those age 13-19 years old.

And its not just HIV, each year U.S. youth under age 20 experience nearly four million sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—including herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV (Adolescents and HIV/AIDS).

With all this infection of pretty dangerous stuff, one wonders why safer sex education isn't even on the minds of our policy and decision makers? When a gay and lesbian organization is prevented from discussion safer sex education to students by the government (from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention no less!) lest their funding gets cut, one wonders how a person cannot understand that abstinence-only education isn't working. Look at the ages of those getting infected? It's those in the highschools where abstinence-only education is being taught that are getting infected! Isn't the abstince-only education supposed to stop this? The youth have incredibly high rates of infection- do you see my point?

I'd think a great safe sex education would incorporate both abstinence AND safer sex. But if attitudes continue to manifest themselves whereby all gay people are only getting what they (we) deserve, then how motivated will our leaders be to put into place better education? How motivated will they be to address STD infection, if its perceived that they are only getting what they deserve? That's my point in typing all this.

Surely there has to be lots of bright and intelligent folk who could combine both abstince and safer sex education in an articulate way that works better than what is obviously not working now. Here is one suggestion.