Fostering Stable Relationships, Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Could Help Reduce Number of HIV Cases Among MSM, Editorial Says
HIV prevention methods must focus on encouraging stable relationships, particularly among men who have sex with men, an Arizona Daily Star editorial says in response to a study showing that the number of HIV cases among MSM in Pima County, Ariz., is increasing (Arizona Daily Star, 7/21). The federally funded study, which was conducted by the Pima County Health Department, found that many MSM in Tucson, Ariz. -- especially older, white MSM -- are engaging in risky sexual behavior, contributing to an increasing number of HIV cases in the city. "Many [MSM] say they simply did not want to live beyond 60 years old ... due to the pervasive belief that older men are not sexually attractive or valued," the study said (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 7/19). "Creating a stable, legal way for homosexual people to form solid, long-term families can help, then, in the fight against risky behavior," the editorial says, suggesting that legalizing same-sex marriage could help. HIV prevention messages "aimed at straight people" that promote monogamy and abstinence until marriage also should be applied to gay people, according to the editorial. "The approach to HIV prevention cannot remain stagnant," the editorial says, concluding, "Instead we should broaden our idea of prevention to include building stable relationships" (Arizona Daily Star, 7/21).
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