Two Steps Forward…
November 7th, 2008
…one step back. So goes the flow of politics. While it is totally great that the people of the United States have elected their first African American president, there are some unfortunate clouds in an otherwise clear sky. Take California for example, where the November 4 elections included a vote on Proposition 8, which says that marriage can only be formed between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 was voted in by Californian voters, perhaps nullifying they legal gay marriages that have taken place since the summer, when a California Supreme Court ruled them legal. So what does all this mean for HIV/AIDS?
I’m of the opinion that popular impressions of GLTBQ rights and place within society also reflect on HIV/AIDS, because society is still so steeped in HIV=gay men. And if a society is rejecting rights of gays and lesbians and other sexually diverse folk, where does comprehensive sex ed play in?
I believe in comprehensive sex education, including information about the continuum of sexual experiences that people may have – opposite sex relationships, same-sex relationships, maybe a little of both. How do you ensure they are healthy, fun and safe? Giving people good information is essential. And if we are starting from a place that acknowledges humans are sexual, curious (and sexually curious) beings, then we can explore the many nuances and details safe sex could include.
But if we are starting from the premise that only certain people (i.e., heterosexuals) should have certain rights (and for some straight and gay people alike, marriage would be a desired step in an intimate relationship), what message is being sent to people about their sexuality? Homophobia and AIDS phobia go hand in hand, and we have to fight both of them. Whether gays and lesbians want to marry or not should be a choice, not a dictate, just as who we have sex with should be a choice.
I know I’m getting hung up on American choices here, but I do find there is influence. Who can miss it with media coverage these days? Thankfully, here in Canada, gays and lesbians can marry if they wish. Yet we are still battling AIDS phobia and certainly homophobia. Let’s celebrate the arrival of Barack Obama to America’s White House, but not forget that the challenges of AIDS phobia and homophobia go beyond borders.
- Janet
This blog represents the ideas of individual writers, and does not necessarily reflect any formal stance taken by Positive Women's Network.
This was posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am and is filed under HIV Prevention, News . Feel free to respond, or trackback.
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