AIDs and Homosexuality Sarah Kravitz

What is AIDs? Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Disease develops after contact with a disease causing agentDisease develops after contact with a disease causing agent Weakens the immune systemWeakens the immune system Symptoms include infections, cancer, decrease in the number of CD4 and T cells which help fight diseaseSymptoms include infections, cancer, decrease in the number of CD4 and T cells which help fight disease

AIDs vs. HIV Human Immunodeficiency VirusHuman Immunodeficiency Virus Can lead to AIDsCan lead to AIDs Also destroys CD4 and T cellsAlso destroys CD4 and T cells Spread through needles, syringes and sexual contactSpread through needles, syringes and sexual contact AIDS is the result of HIV and is manifested in infections that the body can’t fight off because it lacks CD4 and T cellsAIDS is the result of HIV and is manifested in infections that the body can’t fight off because it lacks CD4 and T cells

Who is affected by aids? Men who have sex with Men (MSM)Men who have sex with Men (MSM) Blood transfusion patientsBlood transfusion patients HemophiliacsHemophiliacs Intravenous drug usersIntravenous drug users Heterosexual men and womenHeterosexual men and women Babies with infected mothersBabies with infected mothers

Early Cases 1981—CDC MMWR1981—CDC MMWR New York CityNew York City San Francisco Bay areaSan Francisco Bay area The term AIDS was not used until 1982The term AIDS was not used until 1982 Kaposi’s SarcomaKaposi’s Sarcoma Gay CancerGay Cancer Pneumocystis PneumoniaPneumocystis Pneumonia GRIDGRID

Patient zero Gaëtan Dugas ( )Gaëtan Dugas ( ) Canadian homosexual flight attendantCanadian homosexual flight attendant AIDS can’t actually be trace back to this individual but he was the first patient in which doctors saw the diseaseAIDS can’t actually be trace back to this individual but he was the first patient in which doctors saw the disease His case was linked to 40 of the early casesHis case was linked to 40 of the early cases

Aids in the media NY Times “Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals”NY Times “Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals” Larry KramerLarry Kramer Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) “1,112 and Counting”“1,112 and Counting” ACT UPACT UP Randy ShiltsRandy Shilts San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chronicle And the Band Played On And the Band Played On

Responses in Homosexual Community SuicideSuicide Rates of STDs in the homosexual community declinedRates of STDs in the homosexual community declined Bathhouses closingBathhouses closing Level terror and paranoiaLevel terror and paranoia ActivismActivism Fundraising for medical researchFundraising for medical research

AIDs in MSM In March 1983, 72.4% of serious AIDS cases were MSMIn March 1983, 72.4% of serious AIDS cases were MSM MSM makes up about 2% of the U.S. PopulationMSM makes up about 2% of the U.S. Population More than 60% of MSM are infected with AIDSMore than 60% of MSM are infected with AIDS

Blood Donation 1983 Blood ban on MSM by the FDA1983 Blood ban on MSM by the FDA No good screening methodsNo good screening methods Hemophiliacs who received blood transfusions began getting AIDSHemophiliacs who received blood transfusions began getting AIDS Disproportionate number of MSM had AIDS, so to protect the blood supply the FDA prohibited MSM from donatingDisproportionate number of MSM had AIDS, so to protect the blood supply the FDA prohibited MSM from donating DiscriminationDiscrimination Banned based on sexual orientation  not practices and habitsBanned based on sexual orientation  not practices and habits Blood supply shortagesBlood supply shortages We have legitimate screening methods now so why can’t homosexuals donate?We have legitimate screening methods now so why can’t homosexuals donate?

1982 ABC News Cast 11http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=