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HIV treatment has come a long way since the early 1980s, when AIDS was more prominently a sure killer. Today, a person can live a long and healthy life with the proper medication. However, as highlighted in a recent New York Times article, a new type of struggle has arisen for many HIV-positive activists in the United States—the struggle to live healthy lives in a post-activism era.
If the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl on Sunday, Brendon Ayanbadejo probably won’t have a trip Disney World on his mind. Instead, the linebacker is using his AFC championship-status to tackle a couple of issues that are not normally associated with the NFL – same-sex marriage and anti-bullying.
Last week, “Uncle Poodle” (Lee Thompson) from the TLC show “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” revealed that he was diagnosed with HIV. By sharing his story, Lee hopes to use his reality TV fame to combat bullying in schools and to advocate safe sex. While it’s refreshing to see a star from a silly show about toddler beauty pageants focus on such a serious (and worthwhile) subject, perhaps one of the most interesting details about Thompson’s revelation is that he decided to press charges against his ex-boyfriend, who infected him.
Recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the striking health disparities faced by LGBTQ youth. The data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, conducted during 2001–2009 in seven states and six large urban school districts, shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are at greater risk than their heterosexual peers for a host of unhealthy behaviors.
© 2013 American Sexual Health Association
PO Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
