Good question and honestly, I have no clue. :confused:

I don't think we need to blockade a train station to get a point across to mainstream America that we exist, that HIV and AIDS exist, or that funding is needed. In a sense, we won the battle for exposure already. The battle for a cure is an entirely different matter; one that doesn't need protestors.

Talking about AIDS is now about education and healthcare, not so much government indifference.

After listening to so many homophobes and holy-rollers insist that this disease is God's punishment for our "sinful" lifestyle,I'm sure many of us were all talked out.I know I did not appreciate how AIDS all of the sudden became a stigma associated with being gay.Yes,it has been 25 years but I think the scars,emotional and physical,are still very fresh.

I remember one time getting so angry when a guy blamed the gays for the U.S. not playing a bigger more active role quickly in the World AIDs crises. "If the gays were not the first ones in the U.S. to get and spread it around so quickly, the U.S. would have gotten involved in the crises quicker and in a bigger way."

I was flabbergasted. I just shook my head and fumed.

In other countries - African, mainly, but a few in Eastern Europe, as well - there are huge percentages of the general populace infected with HIV. That's not exactly front-page news, either.

I have a feeling it could be news again. There was a meeting last week at the Council on Foreign Relations, reported bt Gay365, at which a scientist said it was possible that people with AIDS could become ideal incubators for bird flu and would keep it in their systems long enough for it to mutate for human-to-human transmission. The worry expressed was for the AIDS populations of Asia and Africa. But in a worst-case scenario, I could see scapegoating.

I just think we're burned out fighting and talking about this disease all the time.

It just sucks that guys younger than me are the ones being infected at an alarming rate. frown

Why so flabbergasted, hawker? The guy's statement is true.

I wouldn't say his statement "blamed the gays." Rather, he seems to be saying that the response to the initial crisis was tempered because it was seen, at the time, as a "gay disease." Only when it became a "straight" problem, too, did the response quicken. Remember Ronnie Reagan et al?

The initial gov't/public response to AIDS surely would have been heightened had it first struck the cute little Republican puppy dog population.

Well, guys ... just be safe this Thanksgiving.

Yes be sure any turkey you plan on stuffing is thoroughly clean and use gloves when stuffing said turkey.

Happy World AIDS Day.

In my humble opinion, the older generation of gay people are the one's that seem to care more about what's going on more than the younger generation of gay people.

I agree with orsino4. It's about education and healthcare now. With the popularity of barebacking, bug chasing, crystal meth and other drug/alcohol abuse, it's obvious that we are headed for another instance of losing another generation of our community.

I for one have lost many friends to this desease. But when I speak with younger gay people, they say they don't know anyone who has AIDS. I ask them if they've ever been tested and they say no. If that's the case, they probably do know someone with AIDS and just don't realize it.

So to answer your question, many in our community are choosing to ignore this huge elephant in the room for the sake of looking cute and keeping up with the latest fashion and hair trends. I know that may sound a bit harsh, but with one of the organizations I belong to, I've spent the last year trying to convince younger gay people that AIDS is still a huge problem. Sadly, I'm met with an "I could care less" attitude. I realize that this doesn't apply to all gay youth, but this is what I've experienced.

Tonight, I will be attending a couple of local events to support this important cause and to remember and honor those who we have lost and those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

[ December 01, 2005, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: Jorel ]

I think I know about 20 or so people that are positive, but their meds keep them healthy & happy.

Last year was the first time I dealt w/ someone who died with full blown AIDS. I had a very hard time coming to terms with it.

But I think that many of the guys my age and younger think that with meds these days, we don't need to worry about HIV. It's wrong, but that is the mindset.

I wrote a piece about this on my blog a week or so ago....I even mentioned this thread....its not so much about AID's but....

Tragedy

NJ

It is no longer really considered a "gay" disease and we can be thankful for that. Today where I work at the United Nations Vienna International Center there are many demonstrations to recognise World Aids Day and opportunities to donate money to support relief. But it is not considered a gay issue anymore. The greatest part of the problem is in Afrika.

Then how come every time I go on a date, I get asked my HIV status?

Then, if I date him more then once, my friends and family inquire into HIS HIV status?

Statistics may say otherwise....but most people don't seem to have a clue.

NJ

It is still considered a "gay" disease. Hell, some people say that they can tell when someone is positive just by looking at them.

Ozwald, intelligent people who care enough to educate themselves about AIDS realize that it's not a gay desease.

But the reality is most people aren't paying attention because they do see it as a gay desease. Most Americans live in their own little world. Alot of people, here don't even know anything about Africa and everything they're going through. It's the same for India and China. Ignorance truly is bliss for many people. They walk around pressing a finger to each ear, screamimg lalalalalala... it's pretty sad.

One event I attended last evening for Wolrd AIDS Day was an eye opener for me. I'd say there were around 300 people there. The majority were gay men, over 35 years of age and white. The event was successful, giving out $30,000.00 to various AIDS organizations. Still, seeing the type of people that attended was very revealing.

There was nothing on nthe news or in the papers yesterday or today here. If it was mentioned, it was very minimal. I'm not sure what it's going to take for people to start caring. Obviously, millions of people dying around the world isn't enough of an impact.

NathanJones, thanks for including your blog. I agree with you.

[ December 02, 2005, 09:49 AM: Message edited by: Jorel ]

It is funny that people always assume that gay men are the highest percentage of those with HIV/AIDS. I am betting that if you separate those who are IV drug users in the population, that their percentage of HIV/AIDS would be a higher number, whether gay or not gay.

[ December 03, 2005, 09:32 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

I'm not attempting to be facetious....

I wonder who screams the loudest these days about a cure for HIV/AIDS and/or prevention?

Know what I mean?

(it seemed) In the 80's we (gays) were @ the forefront of the fight for a cure....but who is doing it now? I mean what "group"?

Anyone know?

NJ

There seems to be a big movement of celebrities fighting on behalf of AIDS victims in Africa.

Judging from an informal and completely unscientific poll of my inquiry, 6 out of 10 men I asked (at a recent event) didn't even have condoms on hand at home. Seems to me the silence on AIDS comes about because the issue is widely regarded as a buzzkill, because most sexually active men don't get tested enough, and are in deep denial. :mad:

[ December 03, 2005, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

My friend Derek works for the MN AIDS Project and he does HIV testing and counseling over the phone and in person.

Some of the stories he tells me are appalling yet some are just FUNNY.

One lady called up and said that her husband told her that HE got the HIV virus from Supercuts.

A guy called in and asked if he can get HIV through wading in a sewer.

Yeah ... I think people need more education on HIV and how it really spreads.

I have never heard of AIDS ever

I'm not surprised.

Does it have something to do with Anal Intercourse Dude Sex? I should really stop putting myself at risk by drinking the breast milk of infected women.

Perhaps I need some sensitivity training and tough love. Maybe being tied up and shot with meth until the Madonna music sounds intellectual will teach me to be a kinder, gentler fag. If not, at least to be more submissive with my missive wink

[ December 16, 2005, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Erik G ]