What is the disparity between the reality of HIV & the hype surrounding it

[sundog]

I'm just curious about individuals' thoughts on this subject.

This has probably been rehashed several times before, but I missed it.

This thread is NOT intended to diminish the reality of what has sadly (in the eyes of an ignorant public) become synonymous with the community.

I realize the subject is about as fun as walking on eggshells. An implication of a lesser reality than hype would naturally lead some defensive minds to assume an advocation of irresponsible & unsafe practice (which I am not).

I am simply curious the *extent* to which the disease has been exploited and used as a tool of psychological disempowerment.

Is there a middle ground which recognizes reality without living in a state of paranoia? Fear weakens the soul & is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. Those in power are quite aware of this.

I mostly want to listen, so if I don't respond, thanks in advance for your thoughts. :)

[liberalnurse]

1. You question is vague....

Clarify you point of inquiry. An example may be helpful.

snip>

I am simply curious the *extent* to which the disease has been exploited and used as a tool of psychological disempowerment.

:shrug:

[sundog]

4. yes it is vague

I know... but that is my point :)

[donco6]

2. I truly don't think of HIV as synonymous with

the gay community. I personally haven't been made aware of anyone who is positive. We had one friend who died a few years ago.

It doesn't overshadow my life at all.

Maybe I'm the odd one out.

[sundog]

3. no, you don't or I don't

think of the word as synonymous... but a large chunk of ignorant people do... that's why I am curious about the extent to which it has been hyped to reinforce that thought... I'll edit to clarify that

:hi:

[liberalnurse]

7. It isn't....

The jails are full of HIV/Hep C......I say FULL!

[sundog]

8. yes

however, if you walk up to your average ignorant individual (aka 'the majority') on the street and say 'aids' - that person is not gonna say 'prisons' ... he/she is gonnna say 'gay' :(

[stray cat]

5. The reality in many popultions is much worse than the hype

It is increasing in young people and decimating parts of Africa.

[sundog]

6. yes... you are right

it has been something that has been on my mind, and I finally got around posting it

absolutely sux all around :(

makes me sad... sometimes it feels like there is no winning

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

9. Good question!

:hi:

The issue of HIV is definitely sometimes employed as a kind of weapon against gays and even lesbians as a means of diminishing their rights vis-a-vis heterosexuals.

I had discussions about HIV when the superbug story came out, and it was discussed that heterosexual men do not generally use condoms in sexual encounters with new sex partners. Ask most gay men and they'll tell you, "it's obligatory." We all make mistakes, but the disparity there is remarkable.

By the way, I've discussed the superbug with health care practitioners (including some with awesome credentials) and they've told me that this superbug has occurred mainly with gays who've had the virus for 20 years or so, people who've been on treatments, and whose virus has mutated to resist current medications, so I'm confused about the story behind the sensational story we've all heard about.

[sundog]

11. thanks for catching my drift

:)

I thought I was speaking a foreign language for a sec :hi:

[TheWraith]

12. The deal with the superbug was this.

1. It adapted to new drugs faster than standard HIV/AIDS. Drugs that would buy years for an ordinary AIDS patient would work for only about 8 months against the new strain.

2. It moved from HIV to full-blown AIDS faster as well. Ten times faster.

3. It was supposed to be circulating, which the drug-resistant versions in long-term patients aren't doing.

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

10. As to psychological disempowerment,

yes, HIV as an issue DID put a halt to a lot of advancement w/r/t gay causes. Pre-AIDS, bisexuality was not so uncommon. I just recently had a discussion over drinks with an elderly lady friend (fag hag) of mine, and we were talking about HIV, and she said in the 70's, she worked with this woman who openly discussed going to heterosexual sex clubs. Apparently, there was little shame in it - if you got something, you just went to get a shot from the doctor - which may come as a surprise to our younger members, but I recall those days (and I'm not all that much older).

Today, it seems, the closet is as popular as it ever was, in part because to be associated with gayness is to be associated with HIV, sadly.

Many, many people in this country do approach AIDS as a punishment from God, that is, that gays who get AIDS are being justly punished for sinful behavior.

So, yes, there has been psychological disempowerment from exploiting the issue of HIV by those on the extreme right.

Is there a middle ground, you ask? Sure. Always use condoms, limit sex partners, get tested regularly and embrace your sexuality fully. You can do all of those.

[yardwork]

13. HIV is increasing rapidly in non-gay communities

In many parts of the world - including some parts of the U.S. - the most common form of HIV transmission is among heterosexuals.

People have mentioned in this thread that HIV is highly prevalent in prisons, among men who don't consider themselves gay. HIV is spreading rapidly in many African-American communities. It is spreading rapidly among women, including middle-aged married women who don't think they have any risk factors at all. They don't know that their husbands, who don't consider themselves gay, occasionally have unprotected sex with men.

The sad truth is that HIV is spreading rapidly in non-gay communities because of the closeted and repressed nature of sexual identification and discussion in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. As long as people deny the truths about their own sexuality, and don't recognize the risks that exist in their lives, HIV gets a free ticket to spread itself around the globe.

HIV is not and never should have been identified as a disease unique to gay men. It is a disease that affects the human community. We all have a responsibility to be aware of the risks, protect ourselves and those we love, and demand that resources be devoted to prevention, treatment, and cure.

Unfortunately, it's always convenient for the ignorant, fearful, and easily duped to ignore something and blame it on somebody else. That way they get to demonize that "other" group and ignore the problem.