The EDITOR, Sir:

I read in an article recently that "The HIV/AIDS virus is spreading rapidly among homosexuals and bisexuals in Asia, driven by stigma, ignorance and government inaction ..."

The argument that stigma, ignorance and government inaction is the driving force behind increases in the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus is a fallacy.

This fallacy has been the foundation of many campaigns to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and yet we wonder why these do not work.

We view with contempt persons who believe that having sex with a virgin will cure sexually transmitted diseases. We laugh at the stupidity of those who believe having sex in water is a form of contraceptive.

Get real

We sympathise with the simplicity of women who believe that if they are on top they will not get pregnant, and men who believe they can be faster than STIs if they pull out before ejaculating.

We are, however, in a similar boat as these individuals if we believe stigma, ignorance and government inaction is the driving force behind the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.

Let us get real. Reducing or eliminating stigma, educating about different means of transmission, enacting government policies and distributing condoms, do not address the core problem in relation to HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS virus is transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse (man and woman, man and man, woman and woman).

Unless we get persons to abstain or commit to one uninfected person (preferably a member of the opposite sex) we will continue to see an increase in the spread of this virus. We need to realise that even if the cure for AIDS is found, most persons affected with the virus would be unable to afford it.

Teaching abstinence

Let us not give up on teaching abstinence and proper sexual conduct. Yielding to the popular notion that people are polygamous by nature will only serve to reinforce this kind of mentality. It is not too late to get persons to act responsibly. We can change the status quo.

Some may think that this is unrealistic, but the alternative is unacceptable. How do we feel when under-aged boys and girls are used to promote the use of condoms on television? The way the condom is being promoted is actually giving many individuals a false sense of security.

To eradicate the HIV/AIDS virus, we need to eradicate the mentality that sex should be engaged in as early as possible, as frequently as possible, and with as many persons as possible. Abstinence and monogamy has worked in the past, it is working for some persons now, and we need to promote this as the way to go.

I am, etc.,

GARY GARDINER (Rev.)

garyogardiner@yahoo.com

Vineyard Town

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica