The third stage of the AIDS epidemic
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As AIDS makes inroads in rural America, gays gear up
to battle ignorance and fear. Russo reports on
the Douglas County AIDS Task Force.
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rom our perspective,” says
long-time Roseburg activist
JL
Wes Luttrell, “ this is the third
stage o f the AIDS epidemic.” The first stage
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Roseburg
Report
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Sat 11-5
Why not?
Condoms are an effective barrier.
Researchers at University of Cali-
fornia-San Francisco recently pro
ved in laboratory tests that commer
cially available condoms can stop
the AIDS virus. The virus cannot
penetrate the condom material of
either latex or natural skin condoms.
Condoms are absolutely essential for
anal sex.
Anal sex without a condom is, of
course, incredibly foolish at this
point in the AIDS epidemic. Statisti
cal analysis of those who have
become infected with the AIDS virus
shows that unprotected anal sex is
the chief cause of AIDS transmission
among gay and bisexual men in
America.
Condoms are also effective for oral
sex.
Thanks to modern technology,
condoms are now extremely thin (a
fraction of the thickness of a human
foreskin!) and can be very sensuous.
With oral sex, condom breakage is
extremely rare. Some brands of
condoms have a neutral or pleasant
taste. (Some are awful, however, so
try different brands!)
Just tint 29 * January. 1987
took New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los
Angeles by surprise. Many hundreds died dur
ing those first yars without ever understanding
why: nobody understood. The second stage of
the epidemic saw the virus spreading to places
like Hoboken, Boise, Houston and Portland
before information about its transmission was
known. The gay community quickly mobilized
in the epidemic’s wake. The third stage is just
starting. And it is affecting rural communities
like Roseburg, Coos Bay, La Grande and Bums.
And in Roseburg the larger community is play
ing an active role in fighting the spread of AIDS.
That the AIDS epidemic has reached the
countryside is no surprise to anyone. What was
— at first — surprising, is how well educated
the larger community has become during the
past few years. And when a handful of people
started talking about forming a task force in
Roseburg, it — like most o f our community
projects — sprang into existence overnight.
O ur task force formed last October to address
the issue of primary care of persons with AIDS.
At that time there were no knowledgeable
doctors or dentists accessible to persons at risk
for AIDS. Through the efforts of task force
members, two dentists agreed to serve as refer
rals for persons with AIDS as long as their
names are not made public. Identifying a physi
cian who will also serve as a referral has not
been so fruitful. Ironically, physicians in this
rural community seem to be the least informed
— or the most resistant to being informed —
about the epidemic. None o f them want to be
identified as the local “ AIDS doctor.” They
fear guilt by association. And therefore, they
remain aloof.
AIDS was first addressed here by the Douglas
County Health Department in May, 1983. The
county epidemiologist organized this first in
terfacing, billed as an “ AIDS Symposium,”
with local gays shortly after the antibody test
UNSAFE SEX PRACTICES
Anal Intercourse Without Condom
Rimming
Fisting
Blood Contact
Sharing Sex Toys or Needles
Semen or Urine in Mouth
Vaginal Intercourse Without Condom
Semen can carry large quantities of
the virus.
Semen is a body fluid that is
known to be capable of transmitting
large quantities of the AIDS virus.
Oral sex to climax—getting semen in
your mouth or in the mouth of your
partner—is obviously Unsafe.
Preseminal fluid ("pre-cum”) may
also carry the virus. With presemin
al fluid, safety could also depend on
the quantity of fluid you are exposed
to. Some men produce a lot of
preseminal fluid, some don’t. Why
take a chance? Unprotected oral
sex—stopping before climax—is
only “possibly safe.” By adding a
condom, you are adding significant
protection.
became available. It was an informative even
ing, but more important a long lasting rapport
developed between the gay community and the
department.
It was also the county that sponsored a day
long AIDS seminar at the fairgrounds last
January. It was here that police, paramedics,
food service workers, administrators, etc. were
introduced to AIDS. The seminar provided a
wealth o f information about what was known at
that time. Soon local hospitals were offering
in-services for their personnel. And all along —
in my opinion— the local media reported on the
epidemic responsibly.
This spring our task force is organizing
another, similar seminar. Besides the county,
the hospitals and community college will be
asked to play a role. We are focusing on the
importance o f education.
Another issue important to our group is
emergency care. Presently, medication for PCP
(Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia), runs
between $380 and $540 a week. This does not
include doctor and hospital costs. The Gay And
Lesbian Alliance (GALA) has a small fund to
help individuals with medicine and other im
mediate needs; however, resources are limited.
Other task force members are working with us
to help meet this inevitable need.
All three Roseburg hospitals, the Douglas
County Health Department and County Mental
Health send representatives to the monthly task
force meetings. The assistant pastor of the Ro
man Catholic Church, the health writer of the
daily newspaper, the station manager of a rock
station, a local attorney and two therapists in
private practice are also part of the task force.
They come together monthly with four GALA
members to discuss problems and projects. One
member has AIDS.
The task force is organized informally. It is a
process for addressing AIDS-related issues in
Douglas County. And it will provide the
groundwork for future AIDS projects.
•
Unsafe Sex is now definitely obso
lete.
•
«
Male-to-male sexual survival in
the ’80s calls for adaptability and
creativity. Gay and bisexual men are
certainly capable of both. Let’s
completely end Unsafe Sex until this
epidemic is over. Most of us already
have—let's make it unanimous in
’87.
Condoms eliminate the worry.
For oral sex, a condom reduces
both the risk and the worry. Con
doms allow you to experiment, have
sex longer, and safely enjoy the
encounter with your partner. Sex
without worry is obviously far more
enjoyable for both partners.
You can easily learn to use condoms
for oral sex.
Be creative; try different brands.
Lubricated condoms are best for
anal intercourse, but many people
prefer unlubricated condoms for
oral sex. If you add a lubricant,
make sure it’s water-based. Con
doms are inexpensive and readily
available. Experiment!
C A S C A D E
A
I
D
S
P R O J E C T
408 S.W. Second Ave.
Suite 420
Portland, Oregon 97204
(503) 223-5907
Call for more information.
This m aterial is published with the permission
of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
A portion of this ad donated by Just Out.