What’s the next step in the fight against HIV/AIDS?

Keo Frazier, George K. Gramer, Jr., Brianna J. Matthews, and Pieter Tolsma weigh in on this week’s question.

Keo Frazier

I see this issue through my non-expert lens and it appears that there are two
perspectives—first, medical, and second, social.

Medically, we are making strides and sustaining lives. This is evident through the treatment regimen people are receiving to maintain their lives and be part of our society in a productive way. I would be remiss if I did not mention that our health care system does not necessarily allow for everyone to have access to these medical strides and that brings me to the next factor.

Socially, we are still struggling to reduce stigmas and educate the public. It is abhorrent that we still have individuals who believe HIV and AIDS comes from only certain segments of the population. It is uncanny that we still have individuals who believe they cannot contract the virus through known factors.

Dividing the issue into two perspectives suggests we have a long road to travel. How can one thrive and evolve without the other? Both perspectives must work together in harmony and synergy. Our advocate organizations must team with the medical organizations to develop messaging that educates on prevention and access. But that is all so grand – what can do?

We can be the voice of reason. When we hear conversations veering toward ignorance, we can choose to lead in educating. We have indeed come a long way medically and many people are living healthy lives for it, but we have a long way to go in opening people’s minds and hearts.

Keo Frazier is the fearless leader and founder of KEOS Marketing Group

Pieter Tolsma

I spend a great deal of time talking about HIV.  I speak to groups of young gay men about sexual health and relationships as part of my job. While we have a rousing discussion about sex and all the variations and fun that can be had, the mention of HIV can land on the table with a bit of a thud. HIV infection rates are still very high in the community of men who have sex with men. Young gay men are aware of it, but the harsh truth is that the mere mention of HIV tends to frighten – open discussion of the possibility of infection makes people uncomfortable.

The next step in the fight against HIV seems to me to still be the first step: Information. If the mere mention of HIV frightens, then it means that there is still misunderstanding and ignorance about the illness and its relation to you. Personally, I know that in those moments when I was unsure of my status were I let fear cloud my judgment and affect my relationships with others.

When I get the chance to discuss HIV with the young men in my group the atmosphere, of the room goes through a change. The fear subsides a little and is replaced by strength. HIV doesn’t hold such visceral power over us if we talk about it and educate ourselves. That is the only step, and we need to keep taking it together.

Pieter Tolsma is a graduate student at the University of Colorado Denver. He is also program coordinator of Denver PIQUE, a program for gay/bi young men in Denver.

George K. Gramer, Jr.

We need fail proof preventive measures and a cure, of course.  So what might that entail?

The national HIV/AIDS strategy is four–pronged: reducing new infections, increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for people living with HIV, reducing HIV–related health disparities and achieving a more coordinated national response to the HIV epidemic in the US.

All HIV/AIDS research organizations need to band together to share all their research and information.  I believe that if every cancer researcher shared all of their research with every other cancer researcher, we would have a cure for all cancers by now.  The same applies for HIV/AIDS.  Everyone wants to protect their medical discoveries, but for gosh sakes, patent them immediately and share them for the greater good.

The Foundation for AIDS Research, amFar, recently posted about a Harvard Medical School physician who had success with two HIV–positive patients who underwent stem cell transplants in conjunction with reduced–intensity chemotherapy.  The patients are currently showing no trace of the virus in their system.

We should not be merely hoping for a cure.  We must continue to ensure that we practice safer sex.  We must continue to educate the LGBT community (and in this case, predominantly the gay community) on what is safe and what is not.  Finally, we should contribute to the AIDS Walk, amFar, and other organizations for which you have a passion.

Iowa native George K. Gramer, Jr. is the president of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans.