chastity, virginity

I agree that you are often asked about it NOT for health but for chastity reasons.

I recently read a long piece in Newsweek regarding AIDS as it has been around 25 years. It covered many aspects of the disease.

One thing that struck me was that 80% of women are getting AIDS from their one parter/spouse. The husband is doing hanky-panky on the side. And bringing home the disease. And of course we know in many cultures the women don't have much choice to divorce, refuse sex, tell you spouse to sue a condom etc.  They are no close to developing a cream that women can use that will prevent the transmission. This way a woman can protect herself (and any future kids) without relying upon getting their spouse / partner to use a condom or risk upsetting the whole thing by addressing behavior.

It is a good idea to ask questions in this day and age.... ignorance can be deadly..

umsami wrote: Another issue is that in some countries and cultures, homosexuality is viewed as such a sin, that people are in the closet about it.  Men who are gay marry regardless... and then if they fool around... their wives (and children) suffer.  In the African-American community, they use the term on the "down low."  I think because of AIDS there needs to be a real discussion in Muslim communities about homosexuality.  Saying it is a sin doesn't really solve the problem these days.  Men (and women) who think they may be gay, or have those attractions, need to be told that it is wrong for them to marry and put their innocent partners at risk.  They need to be taught AIDS prevention tactics.  Silence is deadly.  And yes, I'd even be OK with telling gay men and women that they need to avoid being alone with the same sex, unless chaparoned... and that if they choose to find a partner, they need to limit it to one (such as with a marriage). Peace.

AIDS is not just a Homosexual disease.  This is the greatest and deadliest myth surrounding AIDS.  You can get AIDS from Heterosexual partners and its spreading quickest among heterosexual blacks.  The Homosexual community is aware of the disease, but its the Heterosexuals that aren't learning the lessons.

AIDS can be spread through unclean hospitals, blood transfusions.  By sex, through prostitutes, promiscious liasons and by birth.  Drug needles are another risk factor.

People need to be educated about ALL THE RISK FACTORS and people need to stop blaming the Gay community.  The disease originated out of tainted Monkey meat in the Congo......the first cases weren't even from sex.