As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a newer method of HIV prevention where an HIV-negative person can take a daily pill (in most cases, Truvada) in order to prevent HIV transmission should they be exposed to the virus.
It’s been hailed by most in medical and HIV-prevention communities as an excellent new addition to our prevention toolbox. But not everyone feels the same way, and that’s okay! As long as we have fact-based, respectful discussions, we all move forward and keep this important issue on the front burner where it should be.
Recently the head of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Michael Weinstein, referred to Truvada as a ‘party drug.’ This departed from the fact-based, respectful discussion we need to have as a community. Weinstein already has a history of ignoring newer prevention strategies, clinging to the old fear-based ‘condoms-only’ mantra of the 90s. A brief look at statistics confirm that ‘condoms-only’ hasn’t caught on, and it’s not going to.
(Weinstein’s full quote was: “If something comes along that’s better than condoms, I’m all for it, but Truvada is not that. Let’s be honest: It’s a party drug.”)
Another titleholder in our community from Los Angeles attempted to have a respectful dialogue with Weinstein’s organization. When they refused, Eric started a well-written petition asking for Weinstein to step aside. I proudly signed the petition right away and shared it.
Sadly, a reactionist blogger has tried to make a connection between Mr. LA Leather’s German heritage, his leather uniform fetish, and the fact that Michael Weinstein is Jewish, even photoshopping pictures of Eric next to Nazi soldiers and claiming that Eric’s (and my) opinion that AHF needs a different leader is somehow anti-Semitic. This is unconscionable. Not only is it counterproductive to the important discussions we as a community need to have about how best to end HIV, it’s also disrespectful to the millions who were affected by the Holocaust. Dredging up emotions and memories of one of the most horrific times in world history to demonize someone for having a valid and maturely-expressed opinion isn’t right.
Please join me in signing this petition, and keeping the HIV-prevention discussion on the high road.
Jason Little is Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2014. Follow his journey to IML on Facebook.
I signed the petition right away when it first came across my computer a few weeks ago. I’ve been following PrEP (and on PrEP) for a little over a year now. I did have (like many I know who are on it) serious concerns before making this decision. It wasn’t like I said “oh this is great! It allows me to have more bareback sex”. I weighed the cost of the pill, the financial costs to the insurance company & subscribers, and realized if I became infected, it would end up costing more. I spoke to my doctor about it and made a conscious decision.
What I find amusing is that people believe that a pill every day will allow you to get more sex partners. For me, my sexual habits have not changed, I’m still taking the risks I would have without the pill, and probably being more cautious to ask the questions I should have been asking before. Are you HIV positive? Are you on meds? Are you undetectable? I ask these questions more now.
I agree with you. Old methods have to go and we need to be open to new treatments and preventions. I don’t think PrEP is for everyone but if you know your behavior is already risky, then it’s something to consider. Thanks for writing this!
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