Friday, December 5, 2008
Radio broadcast about Latinos and HIV
I listened to the radio show that Professor Cotera sent to us that was being broadcasted on World AIDs day. I was absolutely surprised to hear what the man being interviewed was saying. He explained that many Latino homosexuals are TRYING to contract the HIV virus in order to received benefits and not have to work. They would attend parties with the hopes of having unprotected sex with other males that had the virus. He explained an account of two partners, one had the virus already and the other wanted to contract it that way they would be set for life and not have to work again. This man that was being interview quit his job as an activist in the Latino community helping other homosexuals cope with the disease and other issues because he was so disturbed. Some of the very same people that he was trying to inform and warn about the virus were trying to get HIV so they did not have to work again. I think it is horrible that people would do this, and its so bad that someone who was passionate about helping others be comfortable with their homosexuality became so upset that he quit. I think this put our government and health care providers in sort of a catch 22 position. Yes, they need to help people who have the disease by providing medicine and care. The government should provide those with the virus some sort of benefits incase they are unable to work. Yet people should not be rewarded for knowingly and intentionally contracting it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
wow.... that is really suprising, and sad on so many levels... besides abusing the welfare system, why would someone want to contract such a terrible disease just to have financial aid?? that is just really really sad...
I didn't have a chance to listen to the broadcast but wow, this is crazy. I have never heard of people actually wanting to contract HIV. That's just insane and I agree it puts the health care systems in an uneasy situation. There should be help but not for people contracting the virus intentionally.
The idea that many latino homosexuals are attempting to contract HIV is absolutely absurd. Are we to expect the overwhelming majority is willing to put their life in great danger? I think not. Now I'm sure their are few cases that this actually occurring, and it does but our health care system in an uneasy situation. But I feel they should continue their support for those who have contracted the disease because the good outweighs the bad in my mind.
I agree with Phillip Goldberg in that the health system should continue to try to educate and support those who have already contracted HIV/AIDS. While the broadcast was absurd and shocking, I still think that what this man was speaking of represents a small amount of the population when put into perspective. Additionally, those who are deliberately trying to contract the disease are irresponsible and lazy individuals... pathetic in my mind that they would be put their lives on the line so that they did not have to work.
I wasn't able to listen to the broadcast; however, I find the fact that people are purposely contracting HIV/AIDS to be very shocking. Why would someone knowingly want to have a disease, that they can ultimately end up dying from? I think, though, that the healthcare system in the United States needs to continue educating and treating those who have HIV/AIDS. It is a huge problem that we cannot forget about!!
I personally have not had the opportunity to listen to this radio show. However, I found this shocking. Why would someone want to contract the HIV virus? To me, this points out something important: Latinos are not well educated about the disease. They do not know how harmful it can be. More must be done to educate many about HIV and the negative effects it has on individuals. We must do more as a society to bring this topic to the forefront of many discussions.
This all just goes to show us how incredibly marginalized and stigmatized queer Latina/os are. Homosexuality and Lesbianism are completely taboo in most Latino homes. This is one area that I have serious interest in because I want to work towards decreasing the marginalization and stigma. The LGBTQ filed as a discipline is fairly new. I am excited for this field to grow and start educating people about LGBTQ issues. Needless to say, our society needs it!
Post a Comment