Posted by strikeeagle on December 07, 2000 at 22:18:46:
|
First, that our hobby DOES incur a measured amount of risk. That risk being that we can contract a STD. We know this, because it HAS happened, and been reported upon by members of our little community. Second, let us agree that the risk is NOT limited to contracting HIV. True, HIV is one of the risk factors, but it is not the only one. In fact, it is not even the most common threat to the health of either the members of this community, or to las chicas. HIV DOES happen to be the most dramatic and severe health threat to those who participate in our hobby. Third, there are MANY more common and likely threats to the health of our community than HIV. We know this because we know that syphilis and gonorrhea are FAR more common in both US society as well as Mexican society. Herpes and genital warts are more common as well. And, in their own way, both of these have almost as dramatic impact on lifestyle as does HIV. (the main difference being that herpes and warts don't lead directly to a deadly ailment. And, yes, I know about the correlation statistics between warts and cancer, but we all understand my point, here) Fourth, let us agree that participating in unprotected (i.e. condomless) sex increases the risk of contracting a STD. This is a pretty self-evident medical fact that can be backed up by countless studies. Fifth, let us further agree that participating in unprotected sex increases the risk of passing on a STD to our partner, or provider. The same studies as cited above can apply here as well.
I submit to you that we should not. Be it, climitia, syphilis, gonorrhea or any of the other bacterial afflictions, or be it herpes, warts, HIV, Hepatitis (everyone seems to forget about hepatitis) or any of the viral STD threats, there is a SIGNIFICANT reduction in transmission, and risk of transmission when using a condom during sex. And, THAT is the only RELEVENT issue in this entire discussion. Condomless sex INCREASES the risk of transmitting, or contracting, a STD. And, there is not a single medical study that refutes this FACT. Any attempt to further narrow this discussion is POINTLESS AND IRRESPONSABLE. It doesn't matter if the reduction in risk is greater for one STD vs. another. It matters ONLY that there is a VAST, AND MEASUREABLE REDUCTION IN RISK WHEN USING A CONDOM. Now, as I suggested before leaving on my business trip, let us set this disagreement aside, and move on. Collectively, we have FAR more on which we all agree, than upon which we disagree. |
|