Newspaper Page Text
Page 20
Flagpole Magazine
December 4, 1991
Women Don’t Get AIDS,
They Just Die From It
i am appalled at the statement that
Busn made after he heard of Magic
Johnson’s HIV-test result. If you didn't
hear, let me enlighten your ears. Our fair
President stated something intelligent
like, “Well, i guess maybe there isn’t
enough being done regarding the AIDS
epidemic." After an entire decade of this
disease and only two FDA AIDS ap
proved drugs to show for “our fight"
against this disease, I would say we
haven’t done enough, and I would bet
that over 1.5 million persons infected
with the virus right now in the United
States would say the same thing'
AIDS has killed more than 100,000
people. This disease has become the
second leading cause of death in young
men age 24 to 44 and the fifth leading
cause of death in women of child-bearing
age! This disease is not only painful
physically but emotionally, socially, and
financially, as well. This is not a gay
disease! It is no longer valid to justify
your behavior by saying “It won’t happen
to me because I am not gay." Please
don’t give the virus that much credit. Do
you really think a virus can tell what
sexual orientation a person is 7
Women now account for nearly 10%
of the AIDS cases nationwide. It has
been stated that 48% of women who die
infected with the HIV (the AIDS virus)
have never been diagnosed with AIDS!
Why?, you ask 7 Well, the CDC'S defini
tion of AIDS does not include
female-specific symptoms. HIV mani
fests itself differently in women! It makes
sense to me, we are built differently. It
appears that many health care workers
are unaware of the possibility that gyne
cological symptoms in women may be
the first signs of HIV infection and AIDS.
Without an AIDS diagnosis, many women
are being denied social security disabil
ity benefits, access to clinical drug tests,
and subsidized health services.
It is time to demand that the CDC
revise its definition of AIDS The first
definition of AIDS was defined in 1982
and was based on research done on
gay men! The definition was revised
in 1985 and 1987. It failed to include
a disease specific to women! Are you
surprised?, I’m not 1
Please write Jim Curran (CDC.
1600 Clifton Rd., N.E., 26 Executive
Park, Atlanta, GA 30333) and de
mand that the CDC expand their
definition. T he definition should in
clude such infections as: chronic
inflammatory disease or pulmonary
tuberculosis. For a complete list and
sample letter, call ACT-UP/Atlanta
Become educated about HIV and
AIDS Call our national AIDS info-line
at 1-800-551-2728 and ask ques
tions I beg you to advocate for per
sons with AIDS and yourself regard
ing infection. Correct people when
they talk about "AIDS victims." Use
the phrase, "people with AIDS." These
people are not victims, they are sim
ply people with HIV illness. They are
not waiting to die They are living with
AIDS and are contributing to society.
Wear condoms every time you
have sex Yes, that is anal, oral, and
vaginal sex Learn how to put on a
condom 1 I bet you really don’t know
how to put one on I know it sounds
crazy but, read the instructions on
the condom box. Don’t share needles.
The most important thing to re
member is that AIDS is preventable,
AIDS is not easy to get, and that a few
simple precautions will keep you
protected We don’t have time to wait
Become pro-active* Volunteer at an
’AIDS organization, attend a AIDS
seminar (the next AIDS 101 is Jan.
25, 1992, call 872-0600 for info.),
write a check for AIDS, or hold a
person’s hand who is living with this
disease. Remember, Ignorance =
Fear, Silence=Death, and we are
fighting AIDS, not people with AIDS!
Terri Wilder
Joni Mabe's
Museum of Obsessions,
Personalities & Oddities
0'S
SUPER STORE
360 Baxter St. 353-8755
We use 50%
Recycled Paper
on. all Self-Serve
. Copiers
jpoooooooooooococoooooooocoocoooocoo
Est. 1979
Loblolly
FRAME SHOP
& GALLERY
Custom
Picture Framing
Posters • Pottery
Mon. - Sat. 10-6
153 N. Jackson St.
548-9105
11
a
i a
i ■
a
I a
i a
OXiXOCOCOOCCWV
mki
Home of the Gourmet Pizza
u
Free Delivcjry
353 - OOOO from I 2 noon.
a
i i
233 East Clayton y
WAW.VAVAWJ
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
ALL
ENJOY AN EVENING
5:00 —Get >n-deoth news
from around tne woric on
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
on the Classic 91.7 FM
Saturdays
9:00 — Enjoy blues
and classic R & B on
SONlCSET
with host Rob Holms
AMERICAN'
RADIO
COM PANY
JIT Castle &
©bamRock*
t 4.I*erCBI»
8:00 — Listen to
the Celtic sounds
from THISTLE
AND SHAMROCK
6:00 — Enjoy tne humorous
shows and cues: performances
on Gamson Kellor's
AMER CAN RADIO CO WAV'
I 7 t f
T>»* Unrvrruty of Georgia
Grorgu Cmirr for ContMtiurtg Fafucahon
TM
12:00 Midnight —
Enjoy the sounds of
A'rican and Caribbean
music witn
Af RO POP WORLDWIDE
a*#*
MacGarage
Macintosh Repair
Reasonable Rates
354-0988
ARCHIPELAGO
ANTIQUES
roue Ain LX.SK ACCESSORIES
1676 S. Lumpkin in Five Point^
Under Homeplace