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.As youth, at times we forget about the dangers of HIV. HIV diagnoses are increasing at disproportionate rates. The groups most affected by this virus are: LGBT individuals, women, racial minorities, and youth. In order to help diminish HIV in these groups, it is extremely important that we educate ourselves and advocate for culturally competent programs that can help spread awareness about behaviors that increase the risks of coming in contact with the virus. Similarly, these programs should promote a healthier lifestyle by providing information about condom usage and the benefits of remaining abstinent.
Although HIV is considered to be a deadly virus, it is not a “death sentence” anymore. New breakthroughs in medication have helped prolong the life expectancy in HIV+ individuals. The sad truth is that the introduction of this new medication and the common saying that HIV is not a death sentence has also created a subculture in the LGBT community in which HIV is not perceived to be a serious disease. Thus, one can infer that many individuals are not familiar with the negative consequences of HIV and how this disease can affect ones quality of life.
As a gay man, it scares me that some people are willing to contract this virus for the sake of making sex pleasurable. Yet I wonder if this is only because these individuals want to have unprotected sex to make it feel better, or if there are other deep rooted issues that may explain this behavior.
Resources:
HIV and Youth
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/youth.htm
Youth AIDS Coalition
http://www.youthaidscoalition.org/
United AIDS Project
http://beyondstatus.org/
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by Anatic09
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