LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Safe |
by Salvatore Seeley |
Twenty Years of AIDS
On June 5, 1981, the Centers for Disease Control published a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) of a new disease, which was hitting gay men. This report ushered in what we now know as the AIDS pandemic. Today, 20 years later, almost 22 million men, women and children worldwide have died of AIDS, and an estimated 36 million people are living with HIV. AIDS impacts people of all ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. Gay and bisexual men still represent the largest proportion of new AIDS cases and HIV infections each year. In 1998, 45% of AIDS cases and 40% of HIV infections among adult and adolescent men older than 13 were among gay/bisexual men. Men of color comprise an increasingly larger proportion of cases among gay/bisexual men. For the first time, in 1998, men of color represented the majority (52%) of total AIDS cases among men who had sex with other men. In 1989, men of color represented 31% of total AIDS cases among this same group. As gay men, we need to be especially cautious during this time. We have created a malaise when we discuss AIDS. This malaise has caused us to make assumptions about our sexual partners whether they are HIV negative or positive. It is our responsibility to move beyond making assumptions and ask the questions. It is the responsibility of HIV+ men to disclose their status to their sexual partners and for negative men to ask the status of their sexual partners. Twenty years of this epidemic has taught us a lot. While we still do not have a cure for AIDS, or a vaccine to prevent new infections, we do know what works in terms of prevention. We have also made great strides in developing new medications and treatment that have helped thousands of people live healthier, more productive lives. We have also learned that not talking about AIDS can lead to people being afraid to be tested for HIV, and that it can lead to people not going in for care and medical treatment. We now see that this disease, and in particular young, gay, minority males now being hardest hit racial and ethnic minorities, women, and young people. AIDS has always been a disease of people, of those we love and care about. It is about their unfulfilled promise, and the loss of their potential. As we mark this anniversary of AIDS, I urge you to take time out of your busy day to speak with someone you love about AIDS. As importantly, if you have or think you might have ever put yourself at risk for HIV infection, you should seriously consider being tested for HIV. If you know someone who may have placed themselves at risk, urge them to be tested and offer to go with them so that they won't be as afraid to be tested. Know Your Status on June 27 Sex is at the core of all things. There's a malaise in the air about sex, especially since we enter everybody's fantasy time at the beachsummer. If you are out there, you know guys are having sex more often without condoms. More men are barebacking with guys whose HIV status they don't know. And this year, we see increasing numbers of younger gay men becoming infected with HIV. Most of us know all we want to know about condoms. And we know it's not as simple as that. HIV is hard to bring up, especially if we are close to a great encounter. So, instead, a lot of us try guessing if the other guy has HIV. What about yourself? Do you even know your own status? According to the CDC, there are 900,000 people in America that are infected with HIV and don't even know it. June 27th is National Testing and Counseling Day, CAMPsafe will be offering HIV testing and counseling at Community Pride Financial in the CAMP courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue, from 3-8 p.m. Come by for a simple and easy testknowing your status makes a difference. Help Wanted. CAMPsafe is looking for a few good men who like to talk about sex, go to parties and chat with other guys. We are looking for a few guys to become part of our summer outreach team. Stipend and other benefits are provided. Please call Sal at CAMPsafe 302-227-5620 for more information. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 7, June 15, 2001. |