1. Joan Benefield and Linda Howerton
Knowledge is the antidote to fear.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Immersion Experience
SOCW 333 (FALL 2006)
Joan Benefield and Linda Howerton

2. HIV Positive Gay Men Rationale for assignment:
To immerse ourselves in another culture through research, observation, experience, and interviews.
To acquire knowledge and understanding of the unique lifestyle this population leads and the barriers they may face in America.

3. TEN KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER
Have a positive outlook about life and living-HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence.
Shake hands with the person who is HIV. Distance leads to social isolation and a decreased quality of life.
Accompany clients if necessary for testing, counseling, doctor visits.
Put biased, judgmental attitudes and beliefs aside about any culture groups-if a client thinks you are prejudiced about another population then they may think you are about them.
Be willing to listen with compassion to HIV client as they go through the different stages of loss before accepting they have the disease.
6. There is more to them than their sexual preference or their disease-we are all complex and unique.
7. Know the client’s social support network– many gay men do not have close family ties and rely on partners, friends, and others for help.
8. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance when working with this population because of the stigma attached by society and the possibility of discrimination that could occur at their jobs and in the community
Just because they are labeled “gay” doesn’t mean that they have not had intercourse with someone of the opposite sex. Many gay men were previously married and may have children from that union.
10. Some cultures such native American Zuni do not view homosexual behavior as deviant but Latino, Asian, and African American cultures have strong gender roles for both male and female making “coming out” extremely hard.
   

4. TEN KEY POINTS TO AVOID
Do not connect having HIV/AIDS to being gay. Fifty percent of HIV/AIDS patients are heterosexual.
Do not avoid touching them-HIV/AIDS cannot be caught by physical contact.
Avoid expressing the opinions of religious organizations that believe America is being punished for the acceptance of the gay lifestyle.
Do not assume that everyone who is HIV positive fits into one category. They are like everyone else-they have different incomes and interests.
Avoid thinking that all HIV positive patients are uninvolved in the community. Many work, own homes, and volunteer in the community.
They are not all spokespersons for their culture.
7. Do not assume because they are gay that they are not spiritual-mainstream religion may have abandoned them but many gay men still have their religious and spiritual beliefs.  
Do not assume that they all engage in risky sexual behaviors many are in loving long term relationships.  
Do not believe the stereotypes in the media-they are not all comedians, neat freaks, and clothes obsessed.
10. Be aware of your own bias and refer clients if you can not work with them and explain the reason for the referral.

5. A DAY IN THE LIFE
AIDS QUILT, 1996