This is a response to the posts concerning the connection between the spread of HIV and sexual behaviors. Gender is no protection, obviously, against a disease that is spread by body fluids. Any exchange of body fluids--blood, vaginal fluid, and sperm (some research also implicates saliva)--carries the risk of transmission of HIV, plus diseases such as Hepatitis C and STDs.

Gays/lesbians/bisexuals are not more responsible for the spread of HIV than hetereosexuals, since sexual practices among all groups carry a similar amount of risk, if safer sex is not practiced. Currently, in the US, I believe that the group with the fastest growing rate of infection are young, heterosexual men and women of color. In Africa, anal sex is considered an acceptable practice for heterosexuals, perhaps because if a man is with a prostitute, he is somehow not having "real" sex if he has anal sex. The infection rate among prostitutes in Africa, India, and Indonesia is very high--a man will hire a prostitute, then return home and infect his wife. There are also cultural taboos that prevent sexuality from being openly discussed, similar to the US, which increases the chances that HIV will spread. I think the latest information on HIV rates in the gay/lesbian community is that infection rates are rising among young gay men, although I don't know what the comparison is between this group and the group of young men/women of color.

I think it's interesting to compare the present-day cultural response to HIV/AIDS with the historical response to the spread of syphillis from Europe into Native communities--unless there is evidence that Christopher Columbus was a lesbian and/or wore a condom. And what about Leif Erikson? Did he and his Viking pals (drag queens, every last one--check out their helmets)-- all practice safer sex?

blt