At A Moments Notice...

For many people gay is synonomous with HIV/AIDS. Though the epidemic has grown, changed shapes, colors and demographics since its emergence into pop culture, many of our mindsets however, have remained the same. HIV/AIDS equals gay/homo/batty boy. It's God's way of punishing FAGS, an anti-gay protest sign read just a weeks ago. *Laughs* Never mind the fact that thousands upon thousands of straight people die from HIV/AIDS every single year. Never mind the fact that children are being born daily infected with the disease. Never mind the fact that thousands of children in many Third and Second World countries are losing both their parents to the disease; popular opinion still maintains: HIV/AIDS *rolls eyes slightly* equals gay.

I'm tired of explaining to people that just because I'm gay, I haven't issued myself an ir-revokable death warrant.

"Just be careful..."

Straight people love saying that--and it's not just that they say it, they say it as if their odds of contracting HIV/AIDS is so much less than mine. That because I love differently than them, my odds are even greater.

But, the numbers speak for themselves...

HIV/AIDS is not a gay epidemic. It is not a straight epidemic...it is in fact a human epidemic. It should not be something we fear, because history has shown us that the very thing we fear we usually tend to push away or avoid. Unfortunately with HIV/AIDS we cannot do that. It is around us everyday. At work, at school, home, the club...everywhere. Instead of running from the disease, maybe we should take time out to embrace it.

And that is exactly what Think Again does. It confronts HIV/AIDS in a way no other vehicle has. It looks at HIV/AIDS from the outside in, and boldly demands the reader to confront their own experience or inexperience with HIV/AIDS prevention. The essays in Think Again brings to life the feelings/fears so many of us have about HIV/AIDS, good, or bad. For example, Steven Fullwood, one of the co-editors writes: Most of my adult homo life I have fought HIV--or rather fought catching it--and I am tired. Tired of thinking that every sexual act I engage in puts me at risk. Tired of lying when I meet a man to whom I am attracted and, upon finding out he is HIV-postive, finding a way to gently destroy our budding attachment. Tired of feeling alone and scared, and as if this is my lot to contend with for the rest of my life.

Think Again is fresh look at HIV/AIDS from a Black Gay Male perspective. Each essay challenged me to think about my past, my present and my future, and skillfully made me propose what I wanted to do with the rest of it, my life that is. Fear it, or live it?

As always when confronted with that question I chose the latter, because at times whether I want to, or not, I have to live it...

For more info on Think Again contact: The New York State Black Gay Network or Steven Fullwood