Possible New Strain of HIV Is Wake-Up Call
By: Robert J. McMullin and Jason Riggs, STOP AIDS PROJECT, Bay Area Reporter, February 2005

Whether last week's announcement of a possible new virulent strain of HIV is an isolated incident or part of a pattern, it is a wake up call. The possibility of a new more lethal strain of HIV in the gay community calls each of us, our communities and our federal government rededicate ourselves to HIV prevention and safer sex. Moreover, this case makes it even clearer that we must address the epidemic of crystal meth use among gay and bisexual men.
The strain of HIV was detected in a man living in New York City who may not be so different from many of us: a sexually active gay man in his 40's who uses drugs. Despite what has been reported, multi-drug resistant strains of HIV are not new. Neither is rapid progression from HIV infection to clinical AIDS diagnosis. In addition, it is not clear at this time whether the disease progressed rapidly because the virus was particularly strong or because the man was particularly weak due to crystal use, his own genetics and/or because his body is still reacting to a recent infection.

However, the case in New York reminds us of the very real possibility of a new virulent strain of HIV emerging among us. What happens in New York is not so far from San Francisco. It also demonstrates, once again, that crystal meth use not only contributes to new HIV infections but also fosters sexual environments that facilitate the emergence of new strains of HIV and other STDs.

Surveys conducted by the STOP AIDS Project indicate that 20% of gay and bisexual men in San Francisco have used crystal in the last 6 months. Men using crystal report lower sexual inhibitions leading to high-risk sex with multiple partners. While crystal use does not cause HIV, it is highly correlated with new HIV infections. A gay or bisexual man using crystal is 300 to 400% more likely to get HIV than gay or bisexual men who don't. Those using crystal are also twice as likely to have an STD such as syphilis and gonorrhea. This isn't just happening to addicts, it is happening to casual users too; people we count as our friends, co-workers, roommates, and boyfriends.
At the beginning of the AIDS epidemic our community rose up to care for ourselves and each other. We did this out of fear, a sense of responsibility, and out of a commitment to one another. Addressing the abuse of crystal meth should be no different.

The majority of gay and bisexual men are succeeding in protecting ourselves and others from HIV. However, there are some men, like the one in New York, who regularly have unprotected sex with multiple partners.

It is impossible to live in a constant state of crisis about HIV, nor is it advisable for the well-being of individuals or an entire community. However, in our quest to find a "new normal" some of us have adopted a norm that accepts and even encourages high levels of risk. The situation in New York is a wake up call that we must answer by rededicating ourselves to safer sex and the cause of moving HIV prevention and gay men's health forward.
In partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the STOP AIDS Project is dedicated to cutting new HIV infections in half. We are fully engaged in addressing casual crystal use in the gay community and work with thousands of men every month to reduce the spread of HIV. However, it is difficult to see a future free of disease and full of health without all parts of the gay community engaged.

Moving gay men's health forward means having difficult conversations and taking difficult actions. It means being honest with ourselves and with each other about when and why we put ourselves, or others, at risk for HIV.
Moving gay men's health forward requires that all artists, community leaders, bars, club promoters, internet hook-up sites, organizations and individuals that make up the gay community take leadership in a reinvigorated effort to prevent the spread of HIV. Many businesses in the community have stepped up to the plate, yet many more have yet to see HIV prevention and addressing crystal use as part of their responsibility.

Moving gay men's health forward is about summoning up our individual and collective courage and commitment to actively build the kind of community that we all long for and deserve.

Each of us has a role to play in caringly confronting one another to do help stop the intertwined epidemics of HIV and crystal abuse. What is yours?
Robert J. McMullin is the executive director of the STOP AIDS Project and Jason Riggs is the communications director. Join more than 250 volunteers at STOP AIDS Project in preventing the spread of HIV and addressing crystal use at www.stopaids.org, 415-575-0150.