Significant Rise In HIV Cases Among Gays

[Boston Guy]

At the risk of re-igniting the conversation in the "another HIV+ escort" thread, I'm posting a link to an article I just saw.

 

[h4]Significant Rise In HIV Cases Among Gays CDC Says[/h4]

Atlanta, Georgia) New statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control show that sixty percent of the new cases of HIV in the US are among men who have sex with men...

 

To me, this news is not unexpected but nevertheless very, very sad.

 

BG

 

The full article can be read here:

 

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/03/031704hivRate.htm

[jackhammer91406]

BG,

Thanks for the link to the article. I too am reluctant to reignite the now locked thread. The subject of HIV and Aids induces a vast range of emotions in almost everyone. Most if not all of us, know or have known someone with this disease. Most if not all of us have lost a good friend to this disease. In other words, almost all of us bring a range of opinions and emotions to the table whenever this subject arises.

 

Often during discussions of this subject, the focus shifts from the overlying points:

PEOPLE CAN DIE FROM AIDS.

AIDS CAN BE ACQUIRED THROUGH RISKY BEHAVIOR.

RISKY BEHAVIOR CAN BE MODIFIED.

THEREFORE AIDS IS PREVENTABLE.

 

When the focus jumps to "what is the motivation for your opinion?" we move into territory that does more harm than good, because:

NEW AIDS CASES CAN BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED BY BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

 

Many points were raised in the previous discussion relating to the "psychology" of risky behavior, the "psychology" of a persons viewpoint of someone's viewpoint. Sides were drawn, accusations made, gossip used as proof. And all of it, while perhaps well meaning and certainly heartfelt, pulls us off focus.

GUYS, AIDS IS MAKING A COMEBACK BIG TIME. WHO CARES WHAT SOMEBODY MEANS WHEN THEY EXPRESS THEIR OPINION?

 

STAY IN THE GAME GUYS. DON'T GET SIDETRACKED TRYING TO BITCH SLAP BETTER THAN THE NEXT GUY. INSTEAD, LET'S TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF SEXY, HOT, WARM HEARTED MEN WHO ARE MAKING ALL THE WRONG CHOICES FOR THEIR LIVES.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Stated up-front, i'm no expert on the matter, but just expressing a viewpoint that may or may not be the whole truth and nothing but the truth~

 

HIV is turning up in the younger set (18-25) and people seem to be at a loss for why. It seems to me that throughout the early 90's and well into today, the PR machine on the AIDS virus has always been to hit hard and focus on 'no sex being the safest sex.' While i'm not in disagreement with the plight, i also think that young men (and otherwise) are both sick of hearing about prevention and somewhat assured that 'new medications' make living with the disease totally managable.

 

... Both excuses being total bullshit, mind you. Again, just my opinion...

 

It's turning out to be one of those 'i'm young, invincible and nothing's going to hurt me' routines. Young gay men are taking blind risks simply because they're uneducated & uninformed. Honestly, the one BIG reason i've always continued to have safe sex is due to seeing both family members and close friends die slowly from this horrible epidemic. Seeing it first-hand, up close, is probably the best deterent against making stupid choices.

 

I watched my uncle die a very slow and painful death from AIDS complications. I NEVER wish to follow in those footsteps. It's an absolutely horrible way to die and in some ways it's death without dignity: You can die from a common cold without your immune system in defense. For anyone to suffer through this is tragic, but being infected at an age like 19 is just criminal and insipid.

 

Be safe guys. Always...

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Guest Tristan]

There has also been an alarming increase in other STDs which often accompany HIV as a result of the same risky behavior. It's sad after all the past tragedy of the 80s and 90s that the trend is in the wrong direction.

[VaHawk]

I agree with this assessment. There is a lot less emphasis on AIDS education in the gay community, compared to even 10 years ago when free condoms and AIDS literature were standard freebies in the gay bars.

 

Combined with the success of the new AIDS drugs, I believe that has led to a very dangerous attitude of carelessness on the part of everyone, not just young gay men. The absolute height of stupidity are all the barebacking ads on the gay personals sights and the so-called sero-convert parties.

 

What an assinine attitude to dismiss AIDS as a manageable disease and that it is no big deal to be HIV+. People need to realize that not everyone benefits from the new drugs/combo of drugs and that just because they work for a while, that the effectiveness can wear off and it is not always possible to find a new combo that will continue to work (there are tests that will determine what drug or combo of drugs will work for an individual). After all, people still die of AIDS every day and multi-thousands of people die of AIDS every year.

 

People also should realize that AIDS drugs sure aren't cheap (some combos run upwards of $2,000/month). They better have a really good health insurance plan either thru a group policy provided by an employer or acquired privately prior to the infection, or else they just aren't going to be able to get health insurance. The same with life insurance!

 

I only mention the insurance angle, as it seems so many people are driven by the twin gods of sexual gratification and money. No insurance, then you have to spend your own money and at $2000 a pop you won't soon have any money left. No money, no wonder drugs and hence no life extending miracles.

 

I hate to see anyone acquire HIV, but to engage in ridiculously risky behavior, or actively seek infection, given all the education available is ABSOLUTELY STUPID. I really can't generate much sympathy for those who do so.