Write a Comment
11 Comments
The premise that hiv+ people are "soley" responsible for the spread of the virus presumes personal responsibility is only a requirement for positive people. Of course we should be educated on transmission and practice prevention diligently, but prophylatics are made for the rest of population too. This blame assertion is another example of the discrimination that + people must confront everyday. At least this one is easy to dispel.
Recently, I released How To Share Your HIV Diagnosis with Family, Friends and Sexual Partners, which can be obtained at positivelightforpositivelivingbooks.blogspot.com I wrote this book to empower, relate, educate and build confidence in people with HIV. For some, being positive isn't as challenging, but for others it is. And for those that find it so, they need effective tools to give them the self empowerment to fight, not just fear but the stigma that comes from being HIV positive.
My doctors job is to tend to my health. My sex life is none of his business. Discussing it with him only fuels scapegoating and stigma. I have changed doctors over this intrusive questioning.
I agree about all talking about sex to include Parents, Aunts, Gran Parents, Friends , Teachers, Preachers and yes, Doctors and Nurses for lets all be honest about who we our and to include Sex/HIV conversations at the dinner table. Open and Transparent conversations about romance, love, committment and good old fashion SEX. It would be great if the conversation was to include, Condoms, HIV Rapid Screening KITS, Pre Exposure Treatment Options, and yes , just plain, NO to sex, if one chooses.
Yes, I thinks should ask...every Doctors appointment, when the nurses ask is you are having sex, what type of protection do you use..and even ask if there are any questions....
I Think "out of touch" is right on track. Some say "HIV Cases in total are in the 14 millions for 2009. The super-infection or re-infection is a fear message from the out of touch HIV policy machines for every person is different and creates a unique HIV strain for their DNA, so using fear to not deal with sex and this illness is an old message. Hence, it is clear why a HIV Rapid Screening Kit are not available for sale over the counter, for the policy makers do not want people to know the truth.
No it is not sensible or sensitive to hold HIV positive people solely responsible for stemming new infections. Unless you also make us solely responsible for the budgets, programs, and services for all organizations and laws. I did not invent AIDS and I do not pass it along. I wish "POZ™©®" magazine was an advocate and not just a vehicle for these sort of mindless machinations. And why is it even necessary to include reinfection and superinfection in this discussion? Ugh.
Charles
Lets stop talking about this dumb opinion and focus on a cure for HIV/AIDS not a dumb vaccine; thats your answer to the problem. Gay culture itself is sex-based in my opinion, how are you suppose to stop infection; when gay culture dont have meaning anymore. When you see a changed in Gay media such as magazines, books, tv shows than you will see a change in HIV rates in the gay community.
May 19, 2010 • Minneapolis