THE POLITICS AND TEST OF AIDS


© 1985 by Stuart Norman

Appeared in RFD #44, Fall '85:"Right-wing Fascists Descend"

Many things have changed concerning AIDS since 1985, but the basic message has not. AIDS is understood as everyone's disease, although used still as an excuse by homophobes to do something about gays. And homophobia is on the rise, fanned by the powerful religious right. Still, a majority of the American people do not want discrimination. Gays are the majority sufferers of AIDS, and still too many do not practice safe sex, and a new generation may not be getting the message.



Part 1: The Test

        The AIDS epidemic can be a test for us as well as for the nation. Individually and collectively we have passed many hard tests before: coming out, Stonewall, Anita Bryant's crusade, organizing and building the movement. And, we are facing tests: political naiveté, infighting, jealousies, and apathy. We have to fight the bigotry of homophobia in general. Now we have this pestilence quietly slipping up behind us, striking unseen, undetected. It fuels any spurious rationale for increased homophobia, sets us further apart from society and each other. It breeds frustration and fear among us. It is the most severe challenge we have ever faced. But it is just as great a challenge for our whole society. The outcome of the AIDS controversy goes far beyond the gay community. It is not within our power to solve the problem as it is with just political activism. It is more than a gay problem, and we need the resources and support of the nation.
        There is a potential in this crisis to bring us together and unify us as a community, but also to see our plight as a common human problem. Here is potential for healing the societal wound that sets us apart as an oppressed minority.
        I cannot believe that the majority of people in our nation are homophobic. Personally, I have not found it so. They may be uncomfortable with the strangeness and excesses of gay sexuality, but they do not hate or fear us. However, their fears and insecurities can be inflamed by bigoted rhetoric from a vocal, hateful, homophobic minority. Probably that minority is much smaller than the gay community.
        AIDS has been politicized, and that is dangerous for everyone. The ambiguity of our government's support and the squabbles over research funding mask what positive work exists. And, our divisiveness only demonstrates anger and confusion, inspiring no confidence. A united front is needed lest we be the brunt of attacks by those needing a scapegoat for personal or political gain.
        AIDS is the albatross about our necks, curtailing our hedonistic lifestyle, generating in us an intangible fear. No one knows who or where it will strike next. That may leave us feeling helpless since there is no known cause or cure. But, we must not perceive ourselves as helpless lest we become so. Our attitudes are important.
        If we put our energies forth in support of AIDS research we can be sure we are helping not only ourselves, but all of humanity. The potential to gain knowledge about immunology is immeasurable. That can be our gift to society. We have been provided with a mission to work together to abolish the threat.
        Many people say that it is our lifestyle that caused AIDS, and they fear us. But we must not accept the belief that AIDS is our fault. It isn't .We are its primary victims. The rest of the world must be educated to this fact.
        Yet, we must not act the part of victims. That would be accepting defeat, coming from powerlessness. And that weakness in our collective psyche can make us susceptible to disease, prone to depression, defensive, and let fear and hatred creep into our souls. We have made too many gains to allow that to happen now. The closet doors must be ripped off the hinges so that all people realize our plight. It is the test of whether we have the courage to support each other, to take responsibility for our changing lives.
        Some of us have had to change our lives because of the AIDS threat: fewer sexual partners, watching our health and diet, limiting drug usage, and developing a new interest in stable relationships. These things are not bad for us. AIDS has made us conscious of our health and how we relate to each other. This knowledge about ourselves is valuable. Thus, we are demonstrating how we can adapt our lives in the face of adversity. That can make us strong, give us the ability to protect ourselves, and gain our rights in society as well as change our culture for the betterment of all.


Part 2: The Politics

        I haven't seen much safe sex consciousness in RFD nor on the east coast outside of New York City. It seems that San Francisco leads the nation in this regard. According to recent surveys approximately 80% of San Francisco gay males have altered their sexual expression. This is demonstrated by extremely low rates of other venereal diseases in the city. But this community has paid a price by limiting its sexual expression. Some have even become celibate. The whole community was in a depression. Now it is looking for ways to enjoy safe sex and go on living in spite of AIDS. We are looking for ways to conquer our fear, find self-affirmation and purge ourselves of psychic toxins.
        The likelihood is that AIDS is going to be around for a long time. It is no short term change in our lives. If you think because you live in a rural area or small town that your chance of being exposed to AIDS is very low, unless you've been in a strictly monogamous relationship for years, you'd better think again. People travel and spread the disease. AIDS risk consciousness is higher in the large cities because there are so many cases in close proximity and information is disseminated throughout the community relatively rapidly. Most people in cities know PWA's (People With AIDS) and friends who have died.
        The safe sex techniques which are being promoted in most gay publications are all too often perceived as boring or too much trouble for many gay men, thus taking the pleasure out of sex. And, there are those who say to themselves, "I won't get it." and continue to lead pre-AIDS promiscuous sex lives and probably spread the contagion.
        I can agree that many safe sex techniques are boring, but there are many things we can do to make safe sex hot. The most important is to remember not to exchange any body fluids. Fantasy trips are wonderful. Your imagination is limitless to create new ways to express yourself alone or with partners. You can design lovemaking rituals, start a JO club, use condoms and sex toys but use your own on yourself, and by all means use a water soluble lubricant, not a petroleum or vegetable one, because these destroy latex condoms. It's up to you if you care for yourself and your partners, ultimately for the whole gay community. At this time safe sex is politically correct. The Iife you save may be your own.
        But there's a lot more to the politics of the AIDS issue. AIDS is moving into the general population, as well as increasing in our own community. At first the disease became politicized because it was seen as an exclusively gay men's' disease. The cultural blinders of homophobia prevented sufficient action against it. Research funds and assistance funds have been kept at low levels. This time the heterosexual population will pay for their prejudice.
        The medical profession is trying to make headway into looking for drugs to combat the virus, but they have their prejudices, too, even if not homophobic. Researchers fight among themselves for funds and recognition. Robert Gallo of the National Institute of Health discovered HTLV-3 shortly after the French at the Pasteur Institute announced the discovery of LAV. There are even accusations that Gallo stole the LAV and renamed it, claiming it for himself. Again, who cares for the gay community except ourselves? However, there are some alternative healing methods which hold promise. These are not supported by the establishment medical profession, and sometimes they are actively fought. This is repeating the same scenario over cancer research. Alternative treatments have worked in many cases of cancer, but the vested interests of the American Medical Association will not allow any serious investigation into these cures.
        From diagnosis to death the average AIDS case will cost approximately $280,000 for treatment: hospitalization, chemotherapy, drugs, tests. Most alternative methods are much cheaper, perhaps $30,000 a year with a chance to live, but insurance won't pay for it. And, the alternative methods require the patient to take charge of his/her life and make major changes in lifestyle; they must take an active involvement in their cure.
        Chinese medicine, for instance, has recognized the symptoms of AIDS for over 3,000 years. It takes a wholistic approach to harmonize/balance the body/mind/spirit. It treats the individual, not the disease. Most of the alternative methods in use today operate on this philosophy. But, our medical systems treats our bodies like machines suffering from invading armies of germs and otherwise completely ignores the mind and spirit in the process of healing. We might well ask if there is anyone really healthy in the United States?
        Even the much-touted AIDS antibody test has potential for government abuse over the issue of confidentiality. There is talk of quarantines if the disease keeps spreading, and that by health officials concerned over protecting the general population and the nation's blood supply. Yet, this test only detects antibodies, not the virus itself, and it cannot tell you if you will get AIDS. It can only tell you that you are at risk to develop the disease or to pass it to others. If you know you have the antibodies, you can act accordingly to practice only safe sex to protect your partners. Too little is known. Many gay organizations have advised against taking the test while other organizations are keeping a neutral stance. It's up to us to stay healthy, to take charge of our lives, and be responsible for our loved ones. It's all we can do at this time.

Contents Politics Isn't What You Think It Is The Politics of Obscenity