AIDS rising among gays in America

[SantaMonica]

With all the information available to Americans how to protect oneself from contracting HIV/AIDS...why the rise?

Complacency?

http://www.proudparenting.com/page.cfm?sectionid=58&typeofsite=storydetail&ID=213&storyset=yes
Recent reports from the Center for Disease Control (CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/hiv) show some disturbing numbers. 2002 saw the first increase in reported AIDS cases since 1993. It was only 1%, not enough to be considered a trend, but should still be seen as a concern. Much more alarming, however, is the fact that AIDS cases rose by 7.1% among men who have sex with men, and 14% among young gay men. There are now as many as 950,000 people in the United States who are HIV-positive, "more than at any point in the epidemic," Ronald Valdiserri, deputy director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention said.

Many researchers are blaming the rise among young gay men on “AIDS complacency.”

What we need to realize, however, is that even though the toll of the epidemic among injection drug users (IDUs) and heterosexuals has increased during the last decade, gay men continue to account for the largest number of people reported with AIDS each year. In 2000 alone, 13,562 AIDS cases were reported among men who have sex with men, compared with 8,531 among IDUs and 6,530 among men and women who acquired HIV heterosexually. The numbers are even more startling for young gay men. In 2000, 59% of reported HIV infections among adolescent males aged 13-19 and 53% of cases among men aged 20-24 were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact.
__________________________________________

Kofi Annan, seems to enjoy using America as his new scapegoat in AIDS funding of late. When America can't curtail the rise of HIV/AIDS in the gay community in its own country considering our wealth of information and treatment how are we expected to change the mindset of Africans...or anyone else for that matter?

Granted, the problem in Africa can be seen as REAL ignorance, what is the problem here?

[POWERSTROKE]

People think they are invincible until something happens, that is true of all of us. This is not surprising news to say the least.

[Voice Of Reason]

I for one feel that AIDS is a disease that could be wiped out in the U.S. in a couple of years if everyone cooperated.....There does not have to be any new cases............

If every person had protected sex the disease would go away......

People don;t need to catch AIDS.......They make a decision for risky sex...........

I have much more sympathy for women with breast cancer or most other kinds of cancer..........They do nothing to catch the disease......My wife did nothing to catch Ovarian Cancer but she caught it and it almost killed her.................

What irks me more then anything else is 10 times the money is spent on AIDS research as is spent on Breast Cancer research

[SantaMonica]

Glad to hear your wife had a happy ending to her struggle and I agree with you. AIDS can be erradicated with discipline. It'll never happen though.

I am not sure about the amount of expenditure in funds and research of AIDS vs breast cancer.
Good question though.

[RepublicanGal]

"If every person had protected sex the disease would go away."

And stopped intravenous drug use. And if everyone who was infected with HIV or knew they were exposed stopped donating blood.

But that would mean that everyone would have to give up so much! You're talking about addiction, which says, "I need it now and I don't care how" and with raging hormones that say "I need it now and I don't care how". We never have been able to stop it before through education. The difference is...cure. Cures have aided the spread of disease, but only because it is substituted for education and for holding individuals acountable for their own actions. And I don't mean by law...I mean by the medical profession.

I am so SICK and tired of seeing physicians say, "We'll keep it between you and me (wink wink) and here's a whopping silver bullet of whatever-cillin; your wife won't know." Wife? Ne'er a word about whatever partner was involved. Yep...unreported cases right and left, and the secrecy substitutes for whuppin' people upside the head and telling them like it is.

[liberalman]

One reason it is going up is because of the rights concerted effort to make people believe condoms don't work....

[up2date]

From the National Institute of Health (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/aidsstat.htm), I found a factsheet on Aids with the following info: Approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occur each year in the United States, about 70 percent among men and 30 percent among women. Of these newly infected people, half are younger than 25 years of age.That seems to suggest there might be an educational component after all. Or just that younger people, as usual, feel indestructible.

[SantaMonica]

If that wasn't so laughable I would actually believe you to be stupidly partisan enough to believe that, Liberalman.

Oh? Excuse me. Your name is Liberalman. my dumb. :rolleyes:

[up2date]

Originally posted by SantaMonica
If that wasn't so laughable I would actually believe you to be stupidly partisan enough to believe that, Liberalman.

Oh? Excuse me. Your name is Liberalman. my dumb. :rolleyes: Why would you say something like that? Have you not read stories like this? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3176982.stm)

[SantaMonica]

Yes, I have actually. Yet, since when has the opinions of the Vatican EVER influenced public health.

Using this article as blame for the rise in AIDS among gays is laughable. Especially here in the states.

[up2date]

It is not laughable. For the most part, this effects developing nations more than the U.S., but it is a real concern. It's not responsible behavior from the Church. While I am not blaming the church for the spread of AIDS, this policy does contribute.

Some more reading:
http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2240985
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3924147&section=news

Back in the U.S., this policy probably has a much smaller effect. If you look at my post above, you'll note I found statistics from a government site that stated about half of all newly infected people are under the age of 25. That is something to look into.

[SantaMonica]

When did the article come out? How long has the rise in AIDS here AND abroad existed?

Africa has its own set of backassward beliefs which have little to do with wearing condoms. They don't like them - they won't wear them. Raping little girls because THAT is the way to rid one of AIDS.

Please up2date, I know you might want to look to blame this party - that organization - this person or that God. At the end of the day people will do what they want when they want.

Personal accountablity. It's mature and the life we save is our own.

Information on AIDS has been since the late '70s. There IS no excusing.

[Voraden]

Gay menifesto

http://www.homohealth.org/taskforce/manifesto.htm

Gay, Bisexual, and other men who have sex with men must act against the behaviors and attitudes responsible for the increased spread of these diseases. Every Gay, Bisexual, or other man who has sex with men is responsible for the health and well-being of the community.

We are accountable for our behavior-to ourselves, our sex partners, and our community:

Knowingly transmitting HIV is avoidable; its transmission is unacceptable.


Disclosing HIV/STD status does not negate the necessity to practice safe sex.


Bare-backing is unacceptable high-risk behavior except in committed monogamous relationships between partners of the same HIV status.


Transmitting HIV knowingly is an act of violence.
Accept that your actions have consequences.

Get tested.




Long time coming. better late than never.
, “Enough of us are dead. Let’s stop the lies, and begin the task of saving others.”

Previous folk of the non gay crowd would be labeled “homophobic” for saying this.

[up2date]

Originally posted by SantaMonica
Please up2date, I know you might want to look to blame this party - that organization - this person or that God. At the end of the day people will do what they want when they want. Before we continue, we should get something straight: I have no desire to blame anyone, I have no agenda. I am simply looking at the facts. With regards to this policy, it doesn't matter how long AIDS has been around, it is irresponsible and dangerous for the church, or some of its spokespeople, to take this stance.Originally posted by SantaMonica
Africa has its own set of backassward beliefs which have little to do with wearing condoms. They don't like them - they won't wear them. Raping little girls because THAT is the way to rid one of AIDS.
There are many problems in Africa that contribute to the spread of AIDS, no argument from me. But the church shouldn't be one of them.
Originally posted by SantaMonica
Personal accountablity. It's mature and the life we save is our own. I agree. I am not looking to pass blame for irresponsible behavior. But that doesn't excuse misinformation.Originally posted by SantaMonica
Information on AIDS has been since the late '70s. There IS no excusing. Actually, since the early 80's. But that's just arguing the details. I remember when AIDS first started to become known. It was a scary time and it changed the behavior of a generation. We saw what it could do to people, and obviously the gay community was hit the hardest. New infections of HIV plummeted in the gay community as a result. But unfortunately times have changed again. We saw people get AIDS, suffer and die. Today, people see Magic Johnson get HIV and not show any signs of sickness for years and years. The fact that such a high percentage of new infections are in the under 25 group leads one to believe the younger generation failed to pick up the lessons learned in the 80s and 90s. I am not excusing "personal responsibility", but it points towards a possible solution.

[RepublicanGal]

Quote:

"Every Gay, Bisexual, or other man who has sex with men is responsible for the health and well-being of the community."

This is blind thinking.

My microbiology professor, back when AIDS was a relative unknown, said to us, "You see, only homosexual men can contract and spread AIDS because nobody else practices anal sex, and that is where the transmission occurs because of the exchange of blood."

This was back in the mid 80s, but you should have seen the eyebrows rise among the students; looked like a bunch of pairs of floating eyebrows over everyone's head.

Gay men are not solely responsible for the transmission of AIDS. Individuals are.

[Quincy Wisdom]

The way I see it, AIDS is the primary responsibility of those who have none.

[RepublicanGal]

All disease prevention is the responsibility of all humans. Why cannot those afflicted with HIV be responsible? An HIV-positive state neither relieves one of responsibility nor renders one's education, research, and campaigning abilities useless.

I realize that your comment might have been meant to say that as long as non-HIV people practice safe sex or abstain, it can be spread no further...but to relegate HIV-positive people to the "useless" bin is like not being able to teach our children because we made mistakes.

[SantaMonica]

Originally posted by Voraden
Gay menifesto

http://www.homohealth.org/taskforce/manifesto.htm

Gay, Bisexual, and other men who have sex with men must act against the behaviors and attitudes responsible for the increased spread of these diseases. Every Gay, Bisexual, or other man who has sex with men is responsible for the health and well-being of the community.

We are accountable for our behavior-to ourselves, our sex partners, and our community:

Knowingly transmitting HIV is avoidable; its transmission is unacceptable.


Disclosing HIV/STD status does not negate the necessity to practice safe sex.


Bare-backing is unacceptable high-risk behavior except in committed monogamous relationships between partners of the same HIV status.


Transmitting HIV knowingly is an act of violence.
Accept that your actions have consequences.

Get tested.




Long time coming. better late than never.
, “Enough of us are dead. Let’s stop the lies, and begin the task of saving others.”

Previous folk of the non gay crowd would be labeled “homophobic” for saying this.

This could not have been better said and is the entire crux of the matter.

The church is a minority and its agenda is basically...abstinence. Condoms are the best hope there is in the absence of abstinence. Are they 100% foolproof? Nothing is. Condoms rip.

When all is said and done, we are all accountable for our own safety and there HAS been and continues to be proper education to prevent one from contracting AIDS if one so chooses to. No one community should be wise to this more than the gay community.

[uglybastard]

RG said, 'Why cannot those afflicted with HIV be responsible?'

Obviously spoken by someone without a penis.

[SantaMonica]

Implying that men are inherently irresponsible (straight or gay) and will willing risk getting HIV or infecting others? That having a penis dooms one to death, infection and murder?

Should men be done away with?

What oh what then should be done with them?

What ARE you saying then UB?

[uglybastard]

"What ARE you saying then UB?"

I was listening to these african guys talk about AIDS on the BBC. They don't use condoms.

I can understand that.

And I'm surprised you can't...

[SantaMonica]

and that means what?

[uglybastard]

What do you want me to say?

I'm easy.

[SantaMonica]

good attitude

[Simon666]

Originally posted by SantaMonica
The church is a minority and its agenda is basically...abstinence. Condoms are the best hope there is in the absence of abstinence. Are they 100% foolproof? Nothing is. Condoms rip.

When all is said and done, we are all accountable for our own safety and there HAS been and continues to be proper education to prevent one from contracting AIDS if one so chooses to. No one community should be wise to this more than the gay community.
The catholic church is not a minority, it has 1 billion followers and is the largest church in the world. Although in Western countries the Pope is listened to on the points we like to hear (in Europe his stance about Iraq) and laughed away on others, in poor countries with poor people the church is to be taken seriously and what its leaders say closely followed. The position of the catholic church has had a major impact on the spread of Aids, overpopulation and poverty and has convinced me that the Pope, more than Saddam Hussein, is one of the biggest mass murderers of our times by the shear accomplicity in stopping the attempt to prevent Aids by promoting condoms and other all too idealistic viewpoints on sexuality.

[SantaMonica]

Got proof that the catholic Church is responsible for the rise in AIDS in America?

This should be interesting.

[Simon666]

Originally posted by SantaMonica
Got proof that the catholic Church is responsible for the rise in AIDS in America? This should be interesting.
No, sorry, I know the topic is about America but I was talking about the spread of AIDS worldwide since uglybastard mentioned Africa.

[SantaMonica]

So, show the proof that the Catholic Church is responsible for the rise in AIDS in Africa then.

[Simon666]

Originally posted by SantaMonica
So, show the proof that the Catholic Church is responsible for the rise in AIDS in Africa then.
Up2Date has already given a good article on that and you might as well watch a BBC documentary on the Vatican's position and its impact worldwide, it will be an eye opener for you, except if you immediately discredit it as leftwing propaganda...

[Voice Of Reason]

Originally posted by up2date
From the National Institute of Health (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/aidsstat.htm), I found a factsheet on Aids with the following info:That seems to suggest there might be an educational component after all. Or just that younger people, as usual, feel indestructible.

I would be interested in knowing of the 70% how may are gay...I have heard up too 90%.

[Voice Of Reason]

Those who practice high risk sex or use dirty needles are the one who will catch AIDS....

I can say that since I do neither I will never catch AIDS......If everyone followed my example then in a short time AIDS would be eradicated at least here in the U.S.

[up2date]

Originally posted by Voice Of Reason
I would be interested in knowing of the 70% how may are gay...I have heard up too 90%. From the same source: Of new infections among men in the United States, CDC estimates that approximately 60 percent of men were infected through homosexual sex, 25 percent through injection drug use, and 15 percent through heterosexual sex.

[Voice Of Reason]

Originally posted by up2date
From the same source:

I really question the 15% figure among straight men because as I understand it without being to graphic it takes an orfice for the AIDS virus to liver.......When a man is performin straight sex with a woman he has a very small chance of getting the disease, at least that is my understanding........

[up2date]

Originally posted by Voice Of Reason
I really question the 15% figure among straight men because as I understand it without being to graphic it takes an orfice for the AIDS virus to liver.......When a man is performin straight sex with a woman he has a very small chance of getting the disease, at least that is my understanding........ All it takes is a cut or open sore...

[ranger]

Just a comment on the condom issue. I have heard the medical profession double glove when dealing with aids patience because one latex glove will not necessaryily keep them safe from the spread of aids.

Why don't we suggest the use of multiple condoms?

[RepublicanGal]

Try double-gloving and then ask the question...

[ranger]

Originally posted by RepublicanGal
Try double-gloving and then ask the question...

You have some information on the topic or are you just being silly?

[RepublicanGal]

I suppose a bit of both. I've had to double-glove and it's not that comfortable. For a woman, I have large hands. I was first given size 7 gloves, two pair. No way...downright painful. Then a pair of 7 and a pair of 7 1/2. Decidedly uncomfortable. Then two pairs of 7 1/2. Much better. Of course, they had talcum powder on them, so it was easier.

I just can't imagine the first trial of double condoms for a man from a standpoint of comfort, not to mention pleasure. I've tried double-gloving...have you tried double condoms?

Now, I do have to clarify...I had to wear them for about 4 1/2 hours, as opposed to two or three minutes.


YES, NOW I'm being silly!

[SantaMonica]

Originally posted by Voice Of Reason
I really question the 15% figure among straight men because as I understand it without being to graphic it takes an orfice for the AIDS virus to liver.......When a man is performin straight sex with a woman he has a very small chance of getting the disease, at least that is my understanding........

Don't forget VOA the Bi-Sexual males that infect straight women. That didn't seem to be a part of that graph...or did it?

AIDS started in gay males, it will perpetuate the same way. Especially in the west.

[Voraden]

Originally posted by RepublicanGal
Quote:

"Every Gay, Bisexual, or other man who has sex with men is responsible for the health and well-being of the community."

This is blind thinking.

My microbiology professor, back when AIDS was a relative unknown, said to us, "You see, only homosexual men can contract and spread AIDS because nobody else practices anal sex, and that is where the transmission occurs because of the exchange of blood."

This was back in the mid 80s, but you should have seen the eyebrows rise among the students; looked like a bunch of pairs of floating eyebrows over everyone's head.

Gay men are not solely responsible for the transmission of AIDS. Individuals are. Agreed on the part after the blind statement on blind thinking. And the article did not say that. Read it again. The statement is correct. No where does it say that gay men are solely responsible for anything. They are responsible for their actions in a situation that can affect others. Just like any body else.

[RepublicanGal]

If that were so, this is one of those statements which, by implication and by eliminating clarification (e.g., the words "equally", "partially", "primarily") is thus either intentionally or mistakenly misleading. Pedantry.

[Voraden]

Originally posted by RepublicanGal
If that were so, this is one of those statements which, by implication and by eliminating clarification (e.g., the words "equally", "partially", "primarily") is thus either intentionally or mistakenly misleading. Pedantry. Considering the source it should have been obviously understood.

We, the MSM HIV/STD Prevention Task Force are a group of individuals. We include both HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons. We include all genders and sexual orientations. We are people of varied ethnicity and age. Many of us are HIV prevention workers, or Public Health employees. We are researchers, educators, activists and instigators.

[Voice Of Reason]

Originally posted by Quincy Wisdom
The way I see it, AIDS is the primary responsibility of those who have none.

For the most part that is a true statement.........

[EvilTwinFelicia]

I'll toss in my two cents:

Back in 1994, I worked with an AIDS outreach organization. Most of the people we saw had been living with AIDS for 8-10 years at that point. Many were gay men, a few were hemophilliacs, and a small portion were IV drug users.

As part of our outreach program, we would talk to at-risk youths about the transmission of the disease. Time and time again- we heard the same line--

"If I get AIDS, medical science will have a cure for it, so there is no need for me to worry about getting AIDS."

I would look these kids in the eye- and they were dead serious.

I first heard about AIDS in 1982- when I was 15. It scared me to death-- prior to that, the worse thing a person could get from sex was pregnant. Everything else was curable or a person could live with the disease.

I'm still amazed, with all the information out there, how many people do not believe AIDS will affect their lives, or infect them.