H!V and HOMOPHOBIA
In Jamaica there has been a strong link
in the public mind between HIV and homosexuality. This is probably because when
the epidemic first hit in the United States it was seen as a gay disease. While
it did first emerge within the white, middle class gay community there, and
many of the early advocates for care and prevention were gay men, the virus is
not limited to the gay population. This is evident from the fact that in the
United States today, the epidemic of new infections is largely concentrated
among heterosexual African-Americans and Latino Americans.
The stigma of homosexuality that lingers
in Jamaica however continues to undermine efforts to control the spread of
infection. Many who feel it is a homosexual illness refuse to be tested or
reject messages about the importance of practicing safer sex behaviors and
practices. When someone tests positive, especially a man, they run the risk of
being subjected to scrutiny about the sexual orientation that can lead to the disruption
or breaking of important ties with family and community.
Homophobia, like other forms of hateful
discriminations divides society and turns one group against another, creating a
climate in which the virus can spread unchecked. Homophobia prevents the
communication that is vital to stemming the tide of the epidemic. This affects
not only men who have sex with men, but also the larger society of which we are
all a part.
THE REALITY
HIV combined with homophobia means that:
Some
heterosexual men refuse to be tested or practice safe sex because they believe
HIV is a homosexual illness
Some
heterosexual women may not ask the men to wear a condom because they think that
would mean their man is sleeping with other men
Some
bisexual men may refuse to wear a condom because the fear being accused by
their female partners of being gay
People
testing positive may be shunned and gossiped about because they are assumed to
be MSM
People
who are MSMS are terrified to come forward or access safer sex information that
is appropriate to the types of sex they have.
Multifaceted
Very informative!!!!
ReplyDeleteMultifaceted
It is so sad that is is our reality :(
ReplyDeleteMultifaceted
it is our resent reality, but "reality" is not a constant, it can be changed with effort on the part of ALL of us
DeleteAmen, this is very important read for anyone but for all MSMs out there! #Empowering
ReplyDeleteGroup Multifaceted
ReplyDeletewell this connection made between the disease and msms will never go away because it perfectly suits the agenda of the masses>>>>> what is better than to connect the world's most feared disease and the worlds most discriminated group>> what are the odds?? well it suits them fine as it will aid in their perpetuation of hate against msm>>> its fits their moralistic caps of hypocrisy and they preach and promote what their misguided version of wrong and right is>>> a sense of false consciousness i presume> the sad thing is this is what people actually think and so act accordingly they use msms as a marker or a carrying agent of the disease and walk around and use their sexuality being straight as immortality some walking elixir to protect them<<< just as death as no favs they need to knw its the same for this disease<< they need to just engages in safe sexual activities and stop sapping whats left of the image of msm
Group Multifaceted
ReplyDeletePeople believe what they want to inuh<< but they need to realize is that having hiv is not an msm thing hehehe<<< its a human thing no one is deemed secure frm this disease even if u use all the measures possible as eventualities can just seep into our lives>> not to be negative but the truth is the probability of one contracting the disease is is either high low or somewhere in the middle>> its not a yes or no thing>> just be careful use a condom, abstain and check ur partner>>> memba one hand alone cya clap
Group Multifaceted
ReplyDeletewe need to protect ourselves and our loved ones by being responsible. using a condom, abstaining< getting tested, sticking to only one partner are things we can begin with
Group Multifaceted
ReplyDeleteall sexually transmitted diseases out there do not exist in a vacuum>>> they need host the host are us.>> the are indiscriminate and dnt have favs>>> this is serious because they can change the quality of our lives>>> we need to spread the word of prevention and educate our peers>> this is one step towards a great leap for the msm community and mankind
yeah MSMs need to get tested..............................
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