Liberated Christians
PO Box 55045, Phoenix Az 85078-5045

Promoting Intimacy and Other-Centered Sexuality



COPYRIGHTED 1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - MAY BE REPRINTED OR QUOTED FROM ONLY IF CREDIT IS GIVEN LIBERATED CHRISTIANS, MAILING ADDRESS IS SHOWN AND WE ARE SENT A COPY OF PUBLICATION.

While much of this article was first published by Liberated Christians in 1994, the information is very relavant since we now know that the information was true. Also included is some additional updated information.

HIV - AIDS: THE FACTS NOT HYSTERIA
WHY NOT A MAJOR ISSUE IN RESPONSIBLE-NONMONOGAMY

The Proven Facts Of AIDS
For non drug using heterosexuals in the U.S. it is clear after more than 10 years of data and despite what the religious right scaremongers want you to believe for their sexual agenda of repression, that the AIDS issue is more of an excuse than a factual issue. While convenient as an excuse, the panic is based on misinformation.

AIDS is a very serious disease -- for homosexuals, drug users, and receptive partners in anal sex from an AIDS-infected partner. The likelihood of AIDS transmission in normal vaginal intercourse when avoiding partners that are bisexual or drug users, is so remote, that you are probably more likely to be struck by lighting or be killed in a car accident on your way to a swing club. Once you make it to the swing club your much safer than in the car.

AIDS is a very weak virus and must be spread by blood-to-blood or semen-to-blood contact. Anal intercourse is the only likely way of transmission in heterosexual relations, although transfer from a male to a female can occur vaginally. Of course, first the male must be an AIDS carrier so women should be selective to be confident that the man is not bisexual or a drug user. The transfer of AIDS from a woman to a man is very rare since the penis would have to be either infected with an open sore or tissue torn by extreme roughness in intercourse. Heterosexual men are acting as a block to the spreading of AIDS which is why the CDC estimate of future AIDS cases has plummeted from 25 million to about 1 million.

The CDC points out "a disproportionate number of persons with AIDS who acquired HIV infection through heterosexual contact are black or Hispanic; monitoring HIV prevalence and AIDS incidence in different racial/ethnic populations can assist in developing culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV-prevention methods."

The CDC also points out that those at highest risk for heterosexual HIV infection are those who have STDs or using drugs.

Remember, in order to be at risk for AIDS, you must first find someone who is HIV+ before you have any risk at all. With the data showing such low risk from heterosexual men, and if, within men, your partner is Asian or Non-Hispanic White and does not have STDs nor is using drugs, you can see that the likelihood of your partner being a risk to you is very remote.

But let's assume you are very unlucky and your partner is HIV+. Next look at the low transmission rate even between those HIV infected and their sexual partners. You usually need long-term repeated sexual exposure with the HIV infected partner to have any significant risk. Again, this does not mean it can't happen to you. But you need to look at relative risks compared to other risks you take every day. A woman should stop driving her car long before she should be concerned about heterosexual, non-anal sex with a man who is not bisexual or a drug user. For a heterosexual man, of course, there is virtually no risk.

AIDS Message Targeting Wrong Group
AIDS message targets group with least risk says there is no sign that AIDS has spread to any extent into the mainstream of American life....where most experts agree the risk of AIDS falls somewhere between low and infinitesimal.

Social Impact of Aids Study
The National Research Council "Social Impact of Aid" released 2/93 said that the AIDS epidemic was "settling into spacially and socially isolated groups...many geographic areas and strata of the population are virtually untouched by the epidemic and probably never will be."

Prostitutes Not Spreading To Clients
"Rethinking AIDS" Wall Street Journal 3/17/93 Highlights by Mr. Root-Bernstein: There is absolutely no doubt that some people are much more susceptible to AIDS than others. Perhaps the most striking data concern female prostitutes in Western nations. Early in the epidemic, it was assumed that female prostitutes would spread AIDS to the heterosexual community but that clearly is not true.

HIV infected prostitutes, with only a few exceptions, are intravenous drug abusers. Cases of sexually acquired HIV among drug-free prostitutes are almost unknown. In literally only a handful of cases have female prostitutes transmitted HIV to a client, and drug abuse by both the prostitute and the client has been documented in almost all those cases.

Every major review of female prostitution by medical authorities of Western nations has concluded that drug-free female prostitutes are not susceptible to HIV and are not, and will not be, the means of infecting the general population.

An even more striking fact is that, like female prostitutes, hemophiliacs have not become vectors for spreading AIDS into the heterosexual population. Secondary cases of AIDS, in which a person not in a primary risk group acquires AIDS from someone in such a group, constitute only 3% of all AIDS cases ever reported in the U.S. Most all cases of AIDS transmitted by hemophiliacs have documented assaults on their immune systems by other factors in addition to the HIV exposure. Immunologically healthy individuals seem to be almost immune - but it's the few exceptional cases that get all the media attention.

Tertiary cases of AIDS are completely unknown. No documented case of AIDS exists anywhere in the Western world of a drug-free heterosexual who contracted AIDS from a primary carrier (like a hemophiliac) and then transmitted the disease to a healthy, drug-free third party. (Dave Comment: So the scare that a man who has sex with an infected woman, such as a prostitute, is likely to then infect his wife is a myth, not a fact.)

The prostitute and hemophiliac data argue strongly for the conclusion that healthy, drug-free heterosexuals do not get AIDS. The people who get both HIV and AIDS have additional immunosuppressive factors at work on them that predispose them to AIDS. These additional factors include:

Semen-induced autoimmunity following unprotected anal intercourse.

Blood transfusions or infusions or blood-clotting factors.

Multiple, concurrent infections.

Chronic use of recreational and addictive drugs.

Prolonged or high doses of many antibiotics, antivirals and antiparastics, anesthetics, opiate analgesics or steroids.

Malnutrition and anemia.

A particular type of autoimmunity, in which one part of the immune system is triggered to attack the same T cells that are the target of HIV in AIDS.

Every person with AIDS for whom there is sufficient documentation has some subset of these risk factors."

For Safe Sex Brothels Are Best
The safest places for sex are the brothels of Nevada and among those practicing responsible non-monogamy or polyfidelity with careful, knowledgeable, sexually mature people. An article "No gambling in the brothels" said "In the last year and a half of testing approximately 4.700 prostitutes, Nevada has not found one to be positive for AIDS. You are far more likely to be killed in an auto accident than enjoying sexual pleasure sharing. A man who sees prostitutes takes much less of a risk for AIDS than you on your drive to work. This may not fit many moralists' agendas but it is the fact.

The Difference Between The U.S. And Africa's Heterosexual Spread
The reason men act as a block is that you need an open entry to the male blood supply. Unlike in Africa where men stick ornaments in their genitals like women in their ears, it is very difficult for a healthy male organ to provide the route. The risk from a non-infected person is ZERO. The African heterosexual spread also has more to do with STDs, bad hygiene, open sores from diseases of malnutrition and inadequate protein synthesis, and the popularity of anal sex as a method of birth control. The CDC went to Africa in 1987 and concluded the risk to heterosexuals was far different vs. the U.S. African heterosexuals had syphilis and gonorrhea, at thousands of times the rate in the U.S. Worms infect 40%-50% of the population. These infections are known to be immune-suppressive.

The Statistical Real Risk
The risk of AIDS transmission from an infected person has been estimated to be about: 1 in 4 for anal (very high), 1 in 200 for female getting from vaginal intercourse with an infected male (high enough to take precautions if not sure if your partner is in a risk group). 1 in 16,000 for a male having 500 sexual encounters with females not using a condom and 1 in 110,000 from 500 female encounters if using a condom. With the risk of death in an auto accident 1 in 5000 EVERY YEAR, it is so much more risky for you to drive than to have 500 acts of unprotected sex.. The one in 500 risk would be worse for a women and much less than one in 500 for a man to have sex with an HIV infected women. If your partner is not HIV infected the risk is ZERO.

These relative risks are from Norman Herast, M.D. and Stephen B. Hulley, M.D., researchers at the Center for AIDS Prevention. Dr Herast also in Dept Epidemiology of San Fran General Hospital. The info was originally published in JAMA (Journal of American Medical Assn). Vol 259, No.16, page 2428. While the estimates were made a few years ago, the current continuing low incidence of heterosexual spread, especially almost none female to male,tend to confirm the original estimates.

Magic Johnson
From the time "Magic" entered the NBA in 1979, he's been dogged by rumors that he was gay. When he started kissing his pal Isaiah Thompson in the playoffs a few years back, that didn't help quell the rumors. Later, Magic Johnson admits to 20-30 women/day. I wonder if he didn't try a bi experience or had STDs that would easily transmit the infection. He reached his 1 in 16,000 odds far faster than us not training for the sexual Olympics. By day's end his organ may be bruised-maybe even bleeding! Its designed well, but he was beyond its manufacturers specifications!

Magic Johnson admits to thousands of female partners in his book. Surely they all remember the occasion(s) of sex with one of the most famous men on earth. Surely they've all been terrorized into being tested. Surely if even one of them had tested HIV+, she would have blamed him. Why have we not heard about such a woman? Women claim paternity via sex with celebrities all the time. Surly if HIV infected they would go after big dollars from wealthy celebs they slept with. But such transmission even from infected male to female is just not occurring.

Rapper Easy-E reports many female sex partners. He was a crack seller who eventually sold enough to finance his early career. There are no reports that any of his female partners ever has become HIV+. If they had you can bet they would be suing his estate.

The Myth Of Heterosexual AIDS
Author Michael Fumento, in his book The Myth of Heterosexual AIDS, offers substantial evidence that white, middle-class, non IV drug abuser heterosexuals are in less danger of contracting AIDS thru non-anal, sexual intercourse than they are of dying from shark attacks, being hit by lightning, or accidentally drowning in the bathtub. The book is very well referenced and documented. The book was reviewed by the Journal of the American Medical Assn as "the best single source available to enable heterosexual persons to assess their personal risk."

Women - Low Risk But Greater Risk Than Men
Concerning the Low Risk of Heterosexual AIDS, while almost non-existent in heterosexual males, women are at higher risk, especially from anal intercourse. A number of AIDS studies have confirmed that HIV transmission is occurring through heterosexual anal intercourse, which has a much higher risk for women than vaginal intercourse. This is since the intestinal tract is "designed" to absorb. It does so efficiently even "eagerly" - and it cannot distinguish between a virus and a protein molecule that started out as a sirloin steak. To fool around with anal intercourse is dangerous unless you are absolutely sure your partner is not HIV infected.

Researchers at the University of Washington have been studying the factors in women's vaginas that affect the survival of the HIV virus to understand why some women become infected after a few exposures and others don't have even with long-term exposures to an infected partner. Drs. Kiebanoff and Coombs focused on a powerful innate antimicrobial system including peroxidase and halides, as well as hydrogen peroxide generated by Lactobacillus acidophilus, the predominant bacterial species present in the vagina of most normal women.

In plain English this means that when a woman's vaginal ecology is intact, the HIV virus cannot survive there because substances known to be toxic to HIV are naturally produced. Antibiotic drugs and other commonly used medications are known to kill off vaginal lactobacillus, frequently causing candida (yeast) and other common vaginal infections. Lactobacillus may also be absent due to imbalances in vaginal flora due to poor nutrition, other infections, or hormonal imbalances. Other studies show vaginal secretions too acidic for the virus to survive.

Vaginal Transfer To Women
Vaginal transfer male to female does occur. But on average it may take a woman about 10 years of sex with the same infected man to do so. In a study of women who were long-term sex partners of HIV infected men three (2%) out of 171 consistent condom users became infected vs. eight (15%) of 55 inconsistent condom users. When person-years at risk were considered, the rate of HIV transmission among couples reporting inconsistent use (the highest risk) was 9.7 per 100 person years to become infected. (Source: "Man-to-woman sexual transmission of HIV: longitudinal study of 343 steady partners of infected men." in J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 1993;6:497-502.)

Long-term Repeated Exposure Usually Needed to Transmit
Repeated exposure is usually required to be infected, which is why a "one night stand" is rarely a risk to heterosexual women, and of course virtually no risk to heterosexual men. Another myth is that multiple partners increase the risk. The fact is most HIV infected women become so in a monogamous relationship (often with a drug user). The reason may be since immunossuppression is needed. It is very difficult to get HIV heterosexually. Even using terms like "safer sex" is misleading since it implies sex is dangerous.

Immunosuppression May Be Needed To Transmit AIDS
Which is Why Repeated Long-term Exposure Is Usually Needed

Source: AIDS researchers' discussion on "Rethink" Internet mailing list.
Repeated exposure is required to transmit AIDS, not just to increase the odds of transfer, but because immunosuppression may be needed in addition. It is becoming clear in the medical research that to become HIV infected you need both the HIV from your partner and immunosuppression of your own system to allow the HIV to "take hold" or infect the cell. This seems to be another reason why healthy heterosexuals (especially male) are not getting HIV and why anal insemination is a much higher risk than vaginal.

The anal route provides easy exposure in the recipient to HLA anitgens via sperm and blood of the active assumed-infected partner. It is well-documented that such exposure can result in transient suppression of the cell-mediated arm of the immune system in the recipient. The degree of immunosuppression depends on the immunogenic makeup of the recipient, HLA allogenicity, and the frequency of exposure to the same HLA anitgens. Similar immunosuppression of the cell-mediated arm is observed in transfused patients who are, as a result, exposed to HLA alloantigens.

The immune response to these alloantigens has a purpose -- to protect the embryofetus from being rejected by a woman when pregnancy is desired. The difference between pregnancy and the exposure to HLA antigens via transmission, needle sharing, and anal insemination is as follows: The pregnancy immune response is local - occurring in the lymph nodes that drain the uterus - and there is only a small effect on overall immune capability of the mother, whereas the other exposures result in a system-wide (all lymph nodes) response which leads to transient systemic immune suppression which is a perfect environment for HIV transmission. The risk is further enhanced if there is co-infection with STD organisms, mycoplasma, herpersviruses, and other orgasms that have a deleterious effect on the immune system.

In the case of a vaginal tear or sore, circulatory exposure to antigens in semen could result in a systemic immunosuppressive reaction. The occurrence and magnitude of the response would depend on the "immunogenetic distance" (what is called allogenicity) between donor and recipient, recipient's immunogenic status, and the amount of seminal exposure.

Results Of Avoiding Real Facts
By avoiding the real facts of AIDS and sexuality, we fail to promote healthy and responsible attitudes about sexuality. Unfortunately, the politics of abstinence and monogamy are getting in the way of really preventing the spread of AIDS by focusing the attention on those with the least risk - non drug using heterosexuals enjoying vaginal intercourse and of course much more full body sexuality which can be much more loving and meaningful than just intercourse.

The Political Agenda To Scare The Wrong People
I think there are four reasons for the politically correct lies about equal risk of getting AIDS.

1. If the public knows the truth, the government and others will spend less on research to combat the illness since it is quite isolated in the U.S. to certain high risk groups. My reaction is it is a terrible disease and no matter who is at risk research and assistance should go full steam ahead. It's a worldwide problem for everyone in some countries due to poor hygiene and different cultural practices (such as men wearing ornaments in genitals, and anal sex being a method of birth control even for heterosexual men).

2. Health officials think it is better to error on the safe side of their misinformation. I agree it is important to say that anyone can get AIDS, but that the risk is extremely low outside the high risk groups (much less than being killed in an auto accident for heterosexual males). I always suggest protection if you don't know or trust the HIV status of your partner. But people should also know the truth about relative risks.

3. Self-appointed moral guardians use misinformation as an excuse to force their values on others, and the press has spread the false stories since it gets readers and listeners.

4. Gays have been hurt the most, not only by the disease but by a homophobic society where gays are wrongly judged. Gays are not to blame for AIDS, and have been the leaders in being responsible in their behavior. From a Christian viewpoint, I also strongly point out that scripture does not even discuss modern homosexual behavior and does not condemn it. Further I argue that evidence is making it clear to me that homosexuality is not a choice, but of nature and should be affirmed and supported just as left handed people are. However, regarding AIDS, gays are understandably defending themselves from unfair attacks, trying to make it everyone's disease when the statistics and medical facts clearly do not support this contention.

If you don't like the facts, that's too bad, but people have the right to know the facts about the relatively low risk of transmitting AIDS and be concerned but not hysterical.

Condom Protection Is Effective
The is lots of false information regarding condom protection. The biggest myth is that because HIV is much smaller than the pores of a condom so HIV can pass through. BUT the HIV needs a carrier it can not transfer by itself. This myth has absolutely no medical basis but the lie is being spread by the religious right bent on sexual repression rather than meaningful education..

HIV lives INSIDE cells, specifically the T4 cells of the immune system which are found in large volumes in semen and pre-ejac. fluids. These cells do not leak from high quality latex condoms. However, lambskin condoms should be avoided since they are much more porous. Tests have put latex condoms through much more stress than a man can without breaking. Armed with lots of scientific proof of effectiveness, Dr. Bert Perterson of the Centers for Disease Control says "The biggest problem...is failure to take the condom out of the wrapper and use it. We need to shift our focus from the product, which is reliable, to the user."

Condom critics are spreading myths, the CDC says. It says two new studies, the largest ever, show that latex condoms are HIGHLY EFFECTIVE in stopping HIV. "Condoms aren't 100 percent (effective), but they can be very, very close if used consistently," Dr. Kay Stone of the CDC states. When they fail, its usually because people do dumb things, like lubricate them with baby oil or petroleum jelly, or just plain don't use them every time with a partner - whose HIV status is not known.

In one study, NONE of 123 healthy Europeans who used condoms every time they had sex with an infected partner became infected over a two year period. 12 of another 122 Europeans (10%) who didn't use condoms consistently became HIV infected. Over 300 other studies consistently show clearly the effectiveness of condom use. Another Italian study also confirms the lack of HIV transmission in the highest possible risk group (HIV-infected having sex with spouse). The infection rate was only 9.7 per 100 YEARS in the group that DID NOT use condoms, and 1.1 per 100 YEARS in group that used condoms. Most of the transmission was when the male was the infected partner to the female spouse. Remember this is where one partner was known to be HIV+ and still the transmission rates were very low even with no protection!

It is also interesting that the risk of HIV from a one night stand or from a prostitute is much lower than in a long term relationship since repeated exposure is usually needed and it is so difficult to transmit vaginally. This is because the vagina acids usually kill the HIV. Of course, it is almost impossible to transmit female to male unless other factors are involved such as open lesions from STDs, etc. But a woman is at more risk than a man.

The big question is do we teach safer sex, knowing it is natural and not going to go away, or do we insist on abstinence and be laughed at or ignored by most.

Kissing Risk Very Low
Although there has never been a proven case of HIV transmission by kissing it is theoretically possible. But...you would have to have an open bleeding sore in both mouths and have a very direct contact. HIV is NOT transmitted in saliva. Saliva is a water-based body fluid, whereas HIV is a bloodborne pathogen. HIV needs living blood cells in order to stay alive and to replicate. The ONLY body fluids that carry HIV are blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk and spinal fluid. However, there have been several cases of HIV isolated from the saliva of an infected person, but only where the person had blood in their mouth from bleeding gums or sores, and the HIV was in the blood cells that were in the saliva. The HIV was never in the saliva itself. Saliva should also very quickly kill the HIV. Swallowing HIV-infected body fluids is not a risk. The enzymes in the mouth, throat, and stomach would quickly kill any HIV that entered. So in order do transmit orally you would almost have to have both partners' bleeding sores contact each others to transmit HIV.

Performing Oral Sex On A Woman:
Highly unlikely to transmit HIV. The MUCH more easily transmitted Hepatitis B has not been shown to be transmissible this way, suggesting the HIV would be even less transmissible. Dr. Mark Kane, of the CDC hepatitis branch, has stated that "We've never had any clear evidence that hepatitis B is transmitted that way (oral-vaginal)." With billions of acts of cunnilingus occurring, where is the transmission?

If a woman has an STD, however, the risk is greater since she has lots of white blood cells from the STD sore fighting the infection. These white cells certainly carry HIV if she is HIV infected. Its possible the man could be infected if he had open sores on his mouth or STD open sores on his penis. But otherwise it would be virtually impossible.

The AIDS virus can be transmitted technically by most body fluids, but only semen and blood are likely to be involved. Anal sex is the most efficient and easiest method of transfer to the receptive partner from an infected man. The receptive partner could be either male or female and this accounts for most of the hetero AIDS transmission male to female

Supposed New Strains of HIV
In the U.S. AIDS is very isolated to certain high risk groups, since healthy heterosexual men act as a block to its spread. An article in OUT magazine July/August 1995 reports on new subtypes that are more easily transferred heterosexually.

We view this skeptically. OUT is associated with the most politically active or militant segment of the gay community. They believe that creating fear (real or false) among the heterosexual mainstream will help them increase AIDS research funding and to counter the fact that AIDS is primarily a gay/bisexual and drug users disease.

We wonder how much more easily the different subtypes are transmitted. Is the risk going from 1-in-1 million to 10-in-1 million for a heterosexual female who picks her partners carefully and still much less for the healthy heterosexual male? There is no evidence of any new higher risk to either the healthy heterosexual male or his female partners.

AIDS Is Barely Perceptible Across Much Of The Nation
February 1, 1995, article "Crack Users Bearing Brunt of AIDS" reports from the AIDS meeting of the American Society for Microbiology and demonstrates the vast differences in how HIV touches Americans' lives. While the AIDS epidemic is sweeping out of control among crack cocaine smokers in the poorest neighborhoods of larger cities, it is still "barely perceptible across much of the nation." The latest data from life insurance applicants, women giving birth, first time blood donors and military recruits shows only a "tiny minority" were infected. The major area of heterosexual spread is crack users who trade sex for drugs or have sex with those infected by dirty needles.

1997 Update: Arizona State University Stops HIV Testing
HIV testing use to be easily available to students at Arizona State University. However in early 1997 officials decided it was a waste of funds since so few students were found to be HIV+.

Rate of Increase in AIDS Continues to Slow
In 1993 new cases of AIDS continued to slow as the predicted huge increase is just not happening. The CDC reports that the slowdown came despite an expanded definition of AIDS, which was formerly tied to a limited number of secondary infections . Now, anyone infected with the HIV virus whose immune cells have dropped to about one-fifth of the normal level is classified as having AIDS. AIDS continues be mostly isolated to specific high risk groups because of these reasons:

1) Younger gays not caring about life as much as their more mature elders. Faced with all the discrimination, hate and false biblical teachings many young gays, simply say live for today, I don't care about tomorrow in this bigoted anti-gay culture that wants to make life a living hell for me anyway . Of course all gays and bi-sexuals are at risk if they aren't using condoms.

2) Drug abusers who often are too stoned to hear the anti drug and AIDS prevention publicity. They are the hardest to reach. Scaring the general population may feel good politically but doesn't do a thing to reach those who need to be reached.

3) Women having sex with men in above two categories. AIDS is very hard to pass to a female vaginally, but many women have anal sex which makes it very easy to pass from an infected male to a female.

There is no sign that the total number of infected people in the United States is increasing rapidly, as there would be if there was substantial heterosexual spread. Indeed sources told the Associated Press in early 1994 that the Atlanta CDC is expected to reduce its estimate of the total numbers infected from 1 million to about 750,000. The AIDS rate among first-time blood donors is falling. In 1985 it was seven in 10,000. Now it is down to four. Among women it is only 2 in 10,000, showing little heterosexual spread. Among military recruits, the rate has fallen since 1985 for men and held steady for women.

Thailand Military & Prostitute Studies
An article about Thailand got lots of attention showed 6.9% of military recruits tested HIV+. We have no idea how any of these were gays, bisexual or drug users (which I understand is very common). Somehow the article takes the huge leap to the source being sex with prostitutes with no explanation. Perhaps this was the excuse many of them had rather than admitting other risk factors.

There is no evidence of any AIDS epidemic in Thailand among female prostitutes, based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) most recent "Update May 1995" on AIDS/HIV in Thailand. 85% of all AIDS cases in Thailand are in men and 10% in heterosexual women. There is no evidence that any of these females are prostitutes.

In June 1994, 513 female prostitutes were tested for HIV. 94% were negative. These were the most promiscuous prostitutes who worked the infamous red-light districts of Patpong. Drug use is also high which might explain how 6% were HIV+ in addition to the fact HIV can be transmitted male to female (with difficulty) but its almost impossible to transfer female to a intact healthy male, assuming no other risk factors.

There is no evidence that any tourists contracted AIDS from having sex with Thai prostitutes. On the contrary, a study of AIDS in Japan, Australia and Malaysia - all countries that frequent Thai prostitutes heavily - reveals a virtual absence of HIV/AIDS. Japan has less than 1000 cumulative AIDS cases and no HIV, even among the Japanese prostitutes. The Aussies likewise have hardly any AIDS cases, yet hundreds of thousands of Aussie men have a long history of frequenting the beautiful prostitutes of the Far East.

The book "AIDS: Can You Catch It From Asian Women? NO!," by Mac Horn, documents the fact that among Americans who live in Thailand and have been having unprotected sex with literally thousands of Thai prostitutes over a minimum 3 year period, not a single one of them is HIV+.

Mac Horn comments on the internet with someone arguing about his facts:
"The fact that I publish a book on travel to the Orient, I think, would qualify me as somewhat of an authority. After all, I lived in Thailand for 3 years and I interviewed literally hundreds of tourists and prostitutes and I've yet to meet or hear of one tourist or prostitute who is HIV infected as a result of their sexual lifestyle." He also notes that with the 200,000 Americans who visit Thailand every year - and 70% are men going there for the sex industry - there would be some evidence of HIV if it was spreading to customers of prostitutes.

Many More Prostitution Studies Show No Risk To Customers
And They Don't All Use Condoms!

Since heterosexual men don't get AIDS from prostitutes, they sure won't get it from other women, nor be a threat to their female partners.

"...Non-drug abusing prostitutes have no higher risk of AIDS than other women." (The U.S. National Academy of Sciences, 1990)

"The majority of prostitutes who have become infected with HIV in the US. have not become infected through sexual behavior. Most AIDS cases among women in the US. have occurred in women who use IV drugs...shared injection equipment rather than sexual activity has been the most significant transmission factor among female prostitutes." (AIDS: Sexual Behavior and Intravenous Drug Abuse, by National Research Council)

"Non drug using prostitutes in the U.S. play a small role in HIV transmission...80% of infected prostitutes (in the United States) reported using injection drugs" (AIDS Update 1994 - 1995, by Gerald Stine)

"Even prostitutes are not at risk for AIDS unless they also use drugs." (What Causes AIDS? It's An Open Question, by Kary B. Mullis, et. al; Mullis is the 1993 Nobel Prize winner for his invention of the PCR used to detect HIV.)

"There is no evidence that prostitutes constitute a special risk category..." (What to do about AIDS)

[Prostitutes]"...there is little direct evidence that they are a risk group ...unless a prostitute injects drugs she is unlikely to be infected with HIV...It is ironic that prostitutes have been scapegoated for AIDS. Contrary to popular belief, prostitutes are often among the best informed as to how to protect themselves...The chances of a person becoming infected are likely to increase with repeated exposure. Hence a long term infected partner is probably much riskier than a one-night stand  with an infected prostitute. Although prostitutes have been blamed for the spread of AIDS, few if any cases of AIDS in men can be unequivocally linked to them." (Women and AIDS)

"...There is also very little evidence of transmission of HIV from female prostitutes, whether they are drug abusers or not, to non-drug abusing heterosexual men. [From a study in New York]...of the 340 men subjects who regularly had sex with prostitutes...only 3 had evidence of HIV infection." (ibid.)

"Prostitutes represent virtually no risk for spreading HIV to non risk heterosexuals." (Ibid.)

"In Europe, there is as yet no evidence that female prostitutes are a source of HIV infection for the heterosexual population." (Social and Preventive Medicine)

"An HIV positive person requires an average of 1,000 unprotected sexual contacts to pass along this virus just once, as discovered by testing the wives of HIV infected hemophiliacs." (Why We Will Never Win the War on AIDS, by Bryan Ellion and Dr. Peter Duesberg, 1994)

"Despite high rates of sexual contact, HIV infection had been generally slow to spread to sex workers in Asia. For example, the latest data from South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan show levels of infection among commercial sex workers of below 1 percent." ("The Impact of HIV/AIDS on World Population," U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, May 1994, p.12)

"Evidence indicates at this time in the US., heterosexual men (as a group) engaging in sex with prostitutes (as a group) have not been contracting HIV from them. (Women, AIDS and Activism, p.181)

"From 1987 to 1992, in the Philippines, under the medical supervision of the U.S. military, over 31,710 Filipino prostitutes were tested for HIV infection. After over 10 years of sexual contact with American GI's as well as tourists from Japan, America, Germany, Australia, etc. 99.88% of the 31,710 prostitutes were found HIV-negative. There was no evidence that any of the prostitutes spread AIDS to any of the GI's nor evidence that any of the GI's spread AIDS to the prostitutes. However, there was evidence of high levels of sexually transmitted diseases, such as VD and the 'clap,' which indicated that many or most of the GI's were not using condom protection. This is powerful testimony that HIV/AIDS is not a sexually transmitted disease, except in very rare situations. Unfortunately, the media focus their attention only on these exceptions to the rule, giving the public the false impression that HIV is easily spread. Nothing could be further from the truth." (Ibid.)

"Of the 20,432 cumulative AIDS cases in Thailand, as of May 1995, 17,475 are males (85.5%) and 2,957 are female (14.5%). Of these females, 2,043 are heterosexual (the rest being IV drug users, blood donors, etc.). This means that AIDS in Thailand has little or nothing to do with prostitution. How could AIDS be caused and spread by female prostitutes when the majority (85%) of AIDS cases are not even female? Or are we now supposed to believe that prostitutes spread AIDS to their male clients, but the male clients don't spread it back to the prostitutes?" (Ibid.)

Conclusion: So why are we being told that prostitutes are at risk for AIDS ? The answer is clear. Condom companies use bogus AIDS statistics to boost condom sales and anti-prostitution organizations/religionists use AIDS scare tactics to promote their own code of sexual morality. In short, folks, we've been lied to. The chances of female-to-male transmission of HIV leading to AIDS has never been proven among healthy, non drug abusing heterosexuals with no other risk factors.

Many Falsely Accuse Prostitutes As Excuse
It is so easy for men to blame a prostitute, which is much less frowned upon, than the real risk behavior of gay sex or using IV drugs. Yet even with this bias towards lying about risk factors, the female to male heterosexual rate is almost nonexistent.

Here is an internet post as an example of the false classifications of heterosexual male risk: "A young friend was recently discharged from the air force with AIDS. He is a femmy homosexual but he (perhaps correctly, considering the military mentality he must run into) has consistently told the AF doctors that he picked up AIDS from a female prostitute somewhere in Germany. His response (and probably zillions others) biases the research. A lot of these lies get coded into the research. Anal sex and IV drug abuse are hush-hush things but not prostitution which is much more acceptable."

Conclusion
If in doubt, use a condom. While it is clear HIV is not a significant risk for sexually knowledgeable adults, if in doubt of your partners HIV status simply use a condom. Even though the facts suggest using a condom may not be necessary, it may be important more for your emotional health than your physical health.

References For Further Study
For those interested in reading more about the AIDS epidemic, including the politics of AIDS and the controversy surrounding the role of HIV in causing AIDS, the following books are suggested. In addition to these books, there are technical papers and articles too numerous to list which are worthwhile reading for those who want to become serious students of the subject.

The Myth of Heterosexual AIDS, by Michael Fumento. (Published in the United States by Regency Gateway, Inc., 1130 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.) "Myth" was first published in 1990. It describes in extensive detail the vast amount of misinformation and exaggeration that had taken place at that time with respect to the AIDS epidemic. It has over 1500 citations. The paperback edition (published in 1993) includes an introduction which describes the attempts to suppress the publication and distribution of the hardcover edition. The book (1993 edition) was reviewed by the Journal of the American Medical Assn as "the best single source available to enable heterosexual persons to assess their personal risk."

Rethinking AIDS - The Tragic Cost of Premature Consensus, by Robert Root-Bernstein. (Published in 1993 by The Free Press, a division of MacMillan, Inc., 866 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.) "Re-thinking AIDS" is a well documented (112 pages of references) examination of the HIV/AIDS hypothesis, and of the large variety of immunosuppressive agents that may actually be causing the various diseases that have been lumped into what is called "AIDS".

Surviving AIDS, by Michael Callen. (Published in 1990 by HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022.) In 1982, Mr. Callen was diagnosed as having AIDS. Although the normal mortality of AIDS victims is such that one should expect to live no more than a couple of years at best, Mr. Callen survived far beyond that time before his death. Besides being inspirational, this book may help give clues as to what needs to be done to prevent AIDS from being a death sentence.

Sex in America - A Definitive Survey, by Robert T. Michael, John H. Gagnon, Edward O. Laumann, and Gina Kolata. (Published in 1994 by Little Brown & Company.) This book is based on research done through the University of Chicago. Although most of the book relates to sexual habits and attitudes rather than AIDS, one chapter deals specifically with AIDS. It is important because it confirms that AIDS will not spread generally into the heterosexual population, as some had previously feared.

The AIDS Mirage, by Hiram Caton. (Published in 1994 by the University of New South Wales Press Ltd., Sidney NSW Australia 2052. Available in North America through ISBS, Inc., Portland OR 97213-3644.) This short (62 page) book from Australia is a capsule summary of scientific misadventures in connection with the AIDS epidemic, and of the rush to judgement in announcing that HIV was responsible for AIDS. It is of interest because it enables the layman to get an easily digested understanding of the issues.

Dave's note: We do not take a position on the relationship between HIV and AIDS. Our interest is regardless of the cause, who is at risk and making sure facts regarding AIDS TRANSMISSION is given, so people can make intelligent, informed choices. The does HIV cause AIDS? issue is interesting but not our focus.

Swedish HIV+ man had lots of unprotected sex, but none of his victims got HIV. Thanks to Niklas from Sweden who very much enjoys the women of Prague for this news item and translation

About a year ago there was a very "dramatic" incident here in sweden given much media coverage, where a man had "conned" many girls into having sex with him claiming most of the time that he was looking for photo models, sometimes he used seductive drugs on the girls to get what he wanted. He had in total unprotected sex with over 130 women, all the time knowing that he was HIV positive.

While this is a *very* sad story the conclusion of it all is somewhat more happy, none was infected by HIV. I will quote an article from the swedish newspaper "aftonbladet" and provide a translation of the first sentence.

http://wwwa.aftonbladet.se/telegram/0,1082,20486769_INR__,00.html

Quote: "Hivmannen James Kimball alias Mehdi Tayeb hade sex med 130 kvinnor och två män. Ingen av demsmittades, enligt en undersökning vid Karolinska sjukhuset."

Translation: "The hiv man James Kimball also known as Mehdi Tayeb had sex with over 130 women and two men. None of them were infected, according to the investigation done at Karolinska Institutet"

"Karolinska institutet" is the royal swedish medical faculty and it has very good medical and academic reputation.

Dave says, of course it is terrible what the man did, and women are at risk for HIV via PIV sex, but it still isn't that easy to transmit to the women. And of course it almost never transfers female to male by normal sex, unless there are other risk factors.

Dave's concluding comments: Everyone needs to be responsible for their actions based on knowledge and facts as to the relative risk of different activities. We drive a car every day. The risk of death from being killed in an auto accident, even if wearing a seat belt is far greater than the risk of getting AIDS from someone not in a high risk group. Some people may decide to walk everywhere instead of drive a car. Some people may decide to even further reduce the low risk of AIDS by using condoms, dental dams etc. I encourage everyone to learn the facts to make informed decisions and if you are not comfortable with the risk it's your responsibility to practice safer sex and its your partners responsibility to respect your decision.

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