1981, a strange outbreak emerged among gay men in the United States. Doctors from New York and Los Angeles reported widespread Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (a Lung infection) and Karposi’s Sarcoma, a rare skin cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking cases of nearly diminished immune systems. Finally a name was given; AIDS.
By 1982 cases of AIDS were being reported from persons receiving blood transfusions. 1984 AIDS became identified as being caused by a Human retrovirus, HIV. 1985 AIDS hits the big screen as one of Hollywood’s giants succumbs to the disease, Rock Hudson.
1987, as the number of HIV positive cases rise, AIDS is still being identified as a gay disease. Those who were not gay or bi-sexual considered themselves “out of the woods”. Prevention through sexual abstinence and use of condoms are being preached. Medication is available to control the symptoms and increase life span, but no cure.
Entering the 90’s we realize HIV/AIDS is not a “gay only” disease. Reporting’s increase rapidly among the heterosexual community, and use of condoms are stressed among our youth. The 90’s brought us the strongest era of AIDS education and prevention. This issue remained priority on all political agenda’s and was backed financially by the government.
Today, not only is the AIDS epidemic flying below the radar, a drastic slow down in education, and loss of financial backing has pushed it on the shelves of the media closet. Because of this, we’ve become complacent if not “sloppy” about being responsible sex partners. The Domino affect is an “out of sight out of mind” attitude and taking the risk of unprotected sex. New cases of HIV are exploding among Blacks and Hispanics. Black teenagers represent about 16 percent of the U.S. population, yet they represented 69 percent of all new AIDS cases in 2005. Somebody should be concerned!!!!!!
Taking the focus away from this epidemic gives false perception the disease is under control. Since the birth of Viagra, new HIV reporting’s hit the Senior Citizen community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 11% of newly reported HIV cases are persons over the age of 50. Senior Citizens make up nearly 27% of people living with AIDS.
What can you do?
- GET TESTED! Above everything, know your status. I can speak from experience. The scariest time of my life was waiting for my HIV test results. Most people my age had been having lots of unprotected sex prior to HIV/AIDS coming to the surface. When I was teenager/young adult condoms were used and marketed as birth control only. I was on the pill so I wasn’t worried about birth control. When AIDS knocked on America’s door as an uninvited guest and refused to leave, I knew I had to get tested. Although I’m married, I still get tested every now and then because it just feels like the right thing to do.
- CONDOMS, If you are not in a monogamous, committed, relationship, use condoms. When you are out and about doing your thing, it is your responsibility to be vigilant about whom you bed with. We are too far in the game to be hearing and believing the same old excuses, “it doesn’t feel the same,” “don’t you trust me?”, “I’m clean!” If you have an active sex life with no commitment to anyone, then you should be buying condoms in bulk.
- ABSTAIN- I know it sounds old fashioned and out of style, but there is still valor in abstaining from sex. Abstinence as an option is rarely brought up, so I’m doing it and I’m saying its o.k. (not for me, but for someone out there).
- INFORMATION, stay informed on a regular basis. We are living in a period of time where the world is literally at our fingertips. You can be informed of anything just by searching the internet. Use your resources and stay on top of statistics and trends relating to HIV/AIDS.
I know this is a lot to digest but it’s worth it because this is the world we live in. Before I excuse you away from your computer screen, I want to give a shout out to Sheryl Lee Ralph for doing everything in her power to keep awareness of this ugly disease in our face. Ms. Ralph is a long standing AIDS activist and I appreciate her in every way.
Have you forgotten? Holla at ya Gyrl!
Godspeed ~ Latoya
