HIV prejudice?
HIV is a scary thing. I was talking with a gay friend about his experience with AIDS in the early 80's. I was young then, so the scary things about the disease did not really affect me. His partner died of AIDS and he cared for him till he passed. At the time, he lived in NYC and these seemingly healthy good looking men would contract the disease and in no time become extremely gaunt and sickly looking. People were trying anything they could to stop the disease. There were many "holostic treatments" that involved awful things like drinking your own urine. No one knew what to do and the disease was so awful and scary. Can you imagine watching the person you loved die right in front of you and science has no answer?
HIV is a scary thing but I am not prejudiced against it. I have been tested for AIDS but mostly been careful in my own sexual encounters. I understand not everyone is so lucky. I think that HIV awareness should be raised so people remember to have safe sex and to get tested. Most people seem to be careful but there is always that one time a condom breaks or that you don't have or forget to use a condom. Anal sex has become a growing fad in high school kids who think they can't get pregnant this way and it is safer. This is also very scary.
I know a number of musicians who do not always practice safe sex and they are scared of learning they have HIV. They would rather not know than live with the understanding that they are going to die. While I understand their mentality, I do not think it is right. I do not think it is fair for their own ignorance to be the reason they infect others. That is my personal belief. However, I do not pass judgement on them and I am not hesitant about any kind of contact.
My brother-in-law is a doctor and many medical professionals are at risk to HIV because of accidental puncture. He is careful but it can happen to anyone and accepts this risk because he loves what he does.
My mentality on HIV is that we are all in this together and we need to work to educate people to help prevent spreading the disease and we nee to be there for those that are diagnosed and need help. In reality, we are all going to die at some time, why be afraid to help those who need our help now?
HIV is a scary thing but I am not prejudiced against it. I have been tested for AIDS but mostly been careful in my own sexual encounters. I understand not everyone is so lucky. I think that HIV awareness should be raised so people remember to have safe sex and to get tested. Most people seem to be careful but there is always that one time a condom breaks or that you don't have or forget to use a condom. Anal sex has become a growing fad in high school kids who think they can't get pregnant this way and it is safer. This is also very scary.
I know a number of musicians who do not always practice safe sex and they are scared of learning they have HIV. They would rather not know than live with the understanding that they are going to die. While I understand their mentality, I do not think it is right. I do not think it is fair for their own ignorance to be the reason they infect others. That is my personal belief. However, I do not pass judgement on them and I am not hesitant about any kind of contact.
My brother-in-law is a doctor and many medical professionals are at risk to HIV because of accidental puncture. He is careful but it can happen to anyone and accepts this risk because he loves what he does.
My mentality on HIV is that we are all in this together and we need to work to educate people to help prevent spreading the disease and we nee to be there for those that are diagnosed and need help. In reality, we are all going to die at some time, why be afraid to help those who need our help now?
posted by was at 3:47 PM
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