On World AIDS Day, No Talk of 'Barebacking' in San Francisco

NOTE: There is NOTHING progressive about dismissing random, unprotected sex as a primary cause of the spread of HIV.


Today is World AIDS Day, and the men and women who have devoted themselves to fighting this pandemic -- from Bono to former President George W. Bush -- can justifiably take credit for a lot of progress.

The day has particular resonance in San Francisco, which was at the forefront of formulating a public-health response to AIDS in the U.S. in the 1980s. As Mayor Ed Lee said today on Twitter, the city "has been a leader in fight against HIV/AIDS since first cases 30 yrs ago. Today, we remember & recommit to finding a cure."

But are San Francisco officials and activists still fully committed to fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS? That contention was seriously called into question last month by SF Weekly staff writer Taylor Friedman. In a Nov. 9 cover story, Friedman revealed the curious indifference public-health authorities show toward increasingly popular parties devoted to unprotected sex, or "barebacking," among gay men.

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2011/12/world_aids_day_barebacking.php#more

WRAP IT UP!

and perhaps it's more complex than that. Do we scold women when they get pregnant for having been barebacked?

Anyone who still overeats has a death wish
Anyone who still doesn't use sunscreen has a death wish
Anyone who still doesn't deal with their sleep apnea has a death wish
Anyone who ......

Simple, huh?

There is nothing wrong with barebacking within a monogamous relationship. But doing it with multiple partners is a death wish for anyone, gay or straight.

So many today though have never felt that loss. This is a tremendous blessing but also makes HIV less scary. You don't find out you're infected and get sick and die now. You find out, get on meds, and live a long healthy life.