About The News : a publication of the Atlanta Gay Center. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1984-199? | View Entire Issue (May 23, 1986)
The Journal of AID Atlanta page 4 ANALSEX | EDUCATION AND ADS After four years of studying thousands of cases of AIDS, the evidence is becoming increasingly clear: anal sex is the number one cause of AIDS transmission in America. Several epidemiological studies conducted indepen dently in several different cities, involving thousands of gay and bisexual men, have produced essentially the same finding—the prin cipal difference between gay men who get AIDS, and gay men who don’t get AIDS, is the amount and kind of Unsafe anal sex they fiave engaged in. Unsafe and sex includes anal intercourse without a condom, rimming, scat, fisting and fingering, and the sharing of dildoes and other insertive sex toys. So our message is very simple—if we as a com munity are to survive this epidemic, unprotected anal UNSAFE SEX PRACTICES Anal Intercourse Without Condom Rimming Fisting Blood Contact Sharing Sex Tbys or Needles Semen or Urine in Mouth Vaginal Intercourse without Condom C Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights sex has to cease to be a part of our gay male lifestyles until amedical solution for AIDS is available. The risks are just too great for both tops and bottoms. Condoms can help. They are capable of stopping the AIDS virus. Anal inter course with a condom is still considered “possibly safe” because of the risk of condom breakage through misuse. (The major causes of condom breakage are air inside the condom, not enough lubrication, old or mistreated condoms, or the use of oil-based lubricants.) It takes practice to use condoms correctly. How ever, condoms are readily available, inexpensive, and when used properly, are good protection. Learn to use them. If you insist on anal sex, insist on condoms. Lets protect one another. Let's end Unsafe Sex in San Francisco until this epi demic is over. Gay men are too important to lose. THE SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 333 Valencia St. 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94103 415-863 AIDS v Tbllfreein Northern California: 800-FOR-AIDS s TTD: 415-864-6606 Major funding for the educational programs of The San Francisco AIDS Fossdatioa is provided by the San Francisco Department of Public Health li.llli Why oil the concern about poppers now? There have been studies fc r years that warned of the acute and chronic effects of inh aling pop pers. like headaches and dizziness. Some deaths have been linked to poppers use. With the out break of the Afei- epidemic, researches have studied how poppers affect the immune system Preliminary tests indicate that the inhalant nit rites weaken the body* immune system. Other AIDS experts think poppers may lead to the de velopment of Kaposi* sarcoma (KS). one of the diseases linked to AIDS. But I only use poppers once a week when 190 dancing. Infrequent ’hits* of poppers is better than regular, heavy use. But even minimal use may weaken your body* immune system. Until more is known, the poppers high is not worth the risk. Your Health... And A.I.D.S... Can You Afford The Risk? But Tm not gay; I’m not worried about AIDS. AIDS strikes non-gay people too. everyone should take precautions. In addition, poppers can cause health problems not related to AIDS. But my partner and I hare better sex when we use poppers. Good sex contributes to good health But using poppers makes it difficult to avoid those sex prac tices that place you at risk for exposure to AIDS. People are making lots of changes due to con cern over AIDS. The first time you have sex with out poppers may be different. \bu may need to take more time. More and more people report that after an adjustment, sex without poppers is still exciting and fun. Give it a chance: keep it hot and healthy. THE SCIENTIFIC PICTURE Research shows that volatile nitrite inhalation damages me body* immune system by supres- sing the activity of cells needed for protection against diseases. Specifically, nitrite inhalation has led to a depletion of the body* helper Trcells. agents necessary for a fully functioning Immune system. Experiments with both humans and animals have revealed that the nitrites may be signifi cantly immunosuppressive themselves or. by conversion to nitrosamines. they may cause mu tations or cancer. We do not know how much damage to the immune system occurs or whether- the damage is irrepairable. Behavioral research has found that use of pop pers interferes with judgement. As a result other sexual and drug-related activities that greatly increase the risk for AIDS may occur The high incidence of Kaposi* sarcoma (KS). a cancer associaled with AIDS, among gay and bisexual men has led scientists to study whether the nitrite inhalants are an important factor in the develop ment of the disease. Preliminary studies indicate a relationship does exist between use of poppers and incidence of KS in people with AIDS. Many gay and bisexual men have used poppers as a muscle relaxant to permit anal intercourse. Nitrite inhalants also relax the blood vessels, a condition which some scientists believe may en-' I wit 1 the coopered or inlet “opperi funda provided by eh* uesr AIDS Health Project and tha S.F. Dept, of Public Health. Tout, by Michael Helqulit Design by Tandy Bolaw FIGHT THE FEAR WITH FACTS In the war against AIDS, ignorance is the enemy; f- information is the best defense. If you have questions, AID/Atlanta has answers. AIDS INFO-LINE 876-9944 7 days a week 9AM to 9PM TTY #876-9950 Information on Espanol, los Viemes de 12 a 4PM hance the absorption of the A1DS viral agent. In addition, the poppers- induced high may lessen awareness of the severity of physical acts, and trauma to body organs may result. Legal action in a few states and cities now pro hibits or restricts the sale of nitrite inhalant*. But poppers continue to be readily available. People need to take the initiative to protect their own health. TAKE ACTION AND PROTECT YOUR HEALTH The Best Strategy Is To Stop Altogether Research has lound the use ol poppers danger ous to the body* ability to light disease and gen erally bad tor your health. Donl take the risk. Slop using poppers altogether. Spread the word to your friends. Enjoy Sober and Safe Sex Go beyond the highs of drugs when you have sex or dance..Vbu can get just as high or higher naturally as with drugs. Some people use relax- . ation and then deep rapid breathing to get high sexually. Others get oil on intimacy with their partners. Experiment and Und what works ties! tor you. Learn How To Refuse Poppers Many people now refuse to use poppers: you're not alone when you say *No.lhanks.*lf your part ner insists, lake the bottle and then hand it back. Or accept U-but donl sniff them. WUh Ifeular partners, agree to get otf on each othemtthout poppers. Help Is Available Make a personal decision to stop using popper and discuss It with, a lew friends and/or sex partners. Get help when you have difficulty to lowing your decision to stop. Contact qsirug treatment program, a support group, orttxual . counseling center. Or cqll one ot the number below. Stay Informed About AIDS AIDS continues to bo an extremely serious heal! threat Reduce your risk for AIDS* andijemalr current with AIDS research. * Practice only safe sex with your partnett avoic the exchange of bodily fluids, especially seme and blood. * Do not share I.V drug needles with anyone. * Get plenty of rest good food, exercise, and enjoy your friends. * Consider reducing or stopping the usecfdrug: and alcohol In your life. . . 3 * Reduce exposure to other diseases and to stress. For lurther Information, call tha Wtllrmt Networks AIDS referral Una at tha limbers listed on the back of thla brochure, ‘•f AVOID THE THREAT OF POPPERS I GET HIGH ON TOUR HEALTH! S| ^ ■#. *
