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Gay Peoples Chronicle

Healthwise

How to

By LARRY KOLKE

are losing

keep your sanity when all around you

theirs

October 1985

Unless you've just returned from six months in a South Pacific island, it's hard not to be aware of the new hysteria and panic that AIDS is causing in America. First Rock Hudson; then a 13-year-old hemophiliac in Kokomo, Indiana; mass boycotts in schools in Queens, New York; fumigating Cleveland police cars that transport people with AIDS; and the list goes on and on.

pears that the majority of people exposed to HTLV-III do not become ill. Of the rest, some develop symptoms such as persistent enlarged lymph nodes, but don't get AIDS. Their bodies appear to be successfully fighting off

virus--although it may take years. Still others exposed experience weight loss, fevers, diarrhea, and other signs. They too may or

I got a sales pitch in the mail for life insurance from a giant financial services corporation. Usually I throw this away, but this time I didn't. Reading the application, I realized that something new had been added. Besides assuring me (their valued customer) that I would not have to take a examination physical for coverage, the application

Faced with a fatal and presently incurable disease and one that is chiefly spread through (GASP!) sexual contact, fear and moralizing mushroom. The news Those of us who have been active in our gay community have media (particularly televispotted something new happening for the first time in Cleveland a sion) begin to report on AIDS more and more like a sense of community is growing. We saw it starting at the CWRU Spring supermarket tabloid. They Conference, and have witnessed it growing with Dancin' in the Streets, confuse the public even furthe Goodtime Boat Cruise, and the We Are Family picnic. Believe what ther and whip up paranoia by following an informative and you will, but I see AIDS as the issue that will create a gay community factual interview with an in Cleveland . . . If AIDS is the issue that binds us together, so be it.

acts of violence against gays in San Francisco have increased 500% since AIDS became public knowledge four years ago. Fear, bigotry and violence are alive and well in America.

So what's a person to do? How do we cope? Are we seeing a potential witch-hunt emerging? Will so many of our gains in gay rights and acceptance be reversed by AIDS? And AIDS looks to be with us for many years to come. Putting aside the rest of society, how do each and every one of us come up with a way to deal with our personal anxieties and fears about AIDS and go on with our lives?

the

I suppose one choice will be to ignore the whole issue. Perhaps many closet doors will be nailed shut in the process. But what are the emotional and physical costs of such denial? We already know the extent of forms of self-destruction currently present in gay life.

AIDS researcher, with an inFor so long we have pointed to other cities and wondered why not here? chemical abuse and other

terview of a tow-truck driver whose wife is leaving him because he towed a police car that had carried à person with AIDS.

It would be funny, EXCEPT that the misinformation causes immeasurable damage to gays and people with AIDS (more about that later). And it promises to get much worse I don't know about you, but my anxiety and anqer increase every time I pick up a newspaper or switch on the TV. Maybe Tahiti isn't so bad an idea after all?

So what are the facts about AIDS, right now in October, 1985?

1) AIDS is either one virus (HTLV-III) or strains of the same one that deplete or reduce the body's normal immunity to disease. Once a person has AIDS, he or she becomes extremely susceptible to infections and dis-

eases healthy

It's happening here!

Larry Kolke is Secretary and Trustee of the Health Issues Taskforce.

may not develop one or more of the opportunistic diseases that signal full-scale AIDS.

4) The HTLV-III blood test is not a test for AIDS. It is used to screen blood for the presence of antibodies to the HTLV-III virus which causes AIDS. It solely indicates that someone was or was not exposed to the virus. It will not tell whether someone has or will develop AIDS.

clearly asked if I had ever had "enlarged lymph nodes or immunodeficiency.

Buck Harris, Gay Health Consultant to the Ohio Department of Health, has previously reported in this newspaper that insurance executives have contacted them to see how they can incorporate HTLV-III blood testing into their application process.

Undoubtedly, corporate America should not have to foot the health care bill of

gays. that an otherwise individual would not. These include several forms of cancer, a rare type of pneumonia, and other infections such as herpes, oral yeast infections, and one causing mental illness. It isn't the AIDS virus itself that kills people, it is the repeated overload on the body by these other opportunistic diseases.

2) The incubation period between first exposure and first signs of AIDS can range from several months to 5 years. Exposure to the virus does not necessarily mean that an individual will develop AIDS. Currently, researchers believe that 5 to 20% of those exposed will go on to develop AIDS. Also, there may be anywhere up to 1,000,000 people nationally who have been exposed.

3) The last word in the acronym AIDS is 'syndrome.' Spectrum might be a better one. Like all viruses, HTLVIII affects people differently. Fortunately, it ap-

5) There is no known cure for AIDS. With 13,000 and 100 cases in the U.S. and Ohio, respectively, education is the only current means available to slow down and prevent more deaths. Authorities believe (no one can be 100% sure--the disease is too "new") that AIDS cannot be passed by casual or normal daily coutact. Prime agents Ior transmission are blood and semen (saliva is probably safe). The message is clear-

exchange

of bodily fluids during sex. Knowing your partner and his health will help reduce the odds of exposure. Practicing "safe sex is the only way to significantly protect yourself.

As I said earlier, misinformation about AIDS has been and will be even more damaging to the rights and welfare of all gay people and persons with AIDS. Discrimination aainst gays in employment and insurance because of AIDS will continue to happen. Just last week,

"They are getting what they deserve. It isn't society's problem."? School boards all over the country are looking into the legalities and implications of HTLV-III testing of employees and students. You can bet your friendly company personnel department is cautiously looking at it, too. (After all, some companies are now requiring employees to submit to urinalysis for drug use. Why not get rid of the faggots along with the druggies, too?) And the bottom line is the test doesn't show if you have or will have AIDS!! What if it becomes part of the process for the next job you apply for?

Besides discrimination in employment and insurance, the possibility of increased violence against gays exists. We all know that there are fundamentalist ministers verbally stating that AIDS is the wrath of God and the just punishment for the sin of homosexuality. But male

I think there is a better alternative. First, educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Decide to take responsibility for your own health. Take better care of yourself. Then, get involved. Those of us who have been active in our gay community have spotted something new happening for the first time in Cleveland--a sense of community is growing. We saw it starting at the CWRU Spring Conference, and have witnessed it growing with Dancin' in the Streets, the Goodtime_Boat Cruise, and the We Are Family Picnic. Believe what you will, but I see AIDS as the issue that will create a gay community in Cleveland.

We are all at different stages of coming out. The reality is that not everyone can be totally out and we alone have to decide what is right for each of us. But something good happened when I became involved--I don't feel so alone anymore. AIDS is still there. People still get hurt and discriminated against because they are gay. But I realize that others share my fears and needs, too. A connection oc curs--strength, healing, and support appear because se that I am no longer alone There are many forms commun ity involvement can take You

don't have to come out to the whole world. Ther is plenty to be done behin the scenes, too. Look around. There are many fin groups in our city that ar working to build a communi ty. Sports, health issues politics, religion, whatev er. More people are joinin in. If AIDS is the issu that binds us together, be it. For so long we'v pointed to other cities an wondered why not here? It's happening here!

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