Ward.Chanley@f10.n210.z1.fidonet.org (Ward Chanley) (10/04/90)
This message is in response to Damon Feldman
(feldman@rex.cls.tulane.edu), and his post on 24 Sep 1990 at 22:45:39:
DF> I am wondering about the prevalence of AIDS in those people who are
DF> in any high risk category...
Firstly, let me state that I am a bit upset at this persistance in the
"High Risk Group/Category" terminology. There are no "High Risk
Groups", there are "High Risk Behaviors". To make the blanket
statement that you aren't gay/bisexual and are therefore not at risk
for AIDS (because you don't belong to a "Risk Group") is (IMHO) a
dangerous act of denial...one that has allowed a great number of
heterosexuals to continue to engage in unsafe behaviors.
DF>...I have heard that condoms reduce the probability of contracting
DF> AIDS by a factor of 5, is this figure accurate?
I know nothing about that figure, however I will tell you that (again,
IMHO) condoms are not an excuse for promiscuity. There -IS- a risk
factor involved with condom use, and cannot be thought of as a panacea.
Condoms should ABSOLUTELY be used if you do not know your partner's HIV
status, and (again, of course) in the context of a non-monogamous
relationship. However, a popular slogan in the Gay community at the
beginning of the health crisis was "enjoy more time with fewer
partners...", one that I think can be apropos to the heterosexual
community as well.
Ward
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