Reply #51: There is some amazing disingenuity in this thread.

[Runcible Spoon]

First, regardless of homophobia and fear stigmas associated with this disease, some groups are at risk for infection by many many times more than other groups. The most obvious groups are gays and African Americans. I don't see anybody putting it out there but the fact of the matter is that gay men practice anal penetration, which is far riskier for transmission of STD's than (most) vaginal intercourse. This is because the tissue tears more easily, the anus is not equipped for natural lubrication as well as the vagina is. This is not homophobia, this is medical fact. In some HIV stricken regions in Africa, men desire "dry" vaginas and women will even pack herbs to achieve this. Again, this is not a moral evaluation that these groups are drastically higher risk for HIV transmission, it is medical fact. African Americans are incarcerated at astronomically higher rates. In prison, sexual contact occurs in a setting where condoms and lubrication are not only unavailable but often outright banned. As such, anal penetration is far riskier than it would have been with adequate lubrication and condom use and HIV transmissionrate skyrockets. Once again, not racist frothing but statements of medical fact.

I don't think posters have been truthful with themselves and others in this thread. There is a middle ground between insensitivity and walking on glass.

edited for grammarrrr