AIDS and Traditions of Homophobia

Abstract

/ViDS has been called a plague. But recently there have been doubts expressed that it is or will become one. Good news, if true. Meanwhile, it is of extraordinary cultural interest that these doubts are being translated into very badand very familiarnews about male homosexuals, still the primary victims of AIDS in this country. Theories that the AIDS epidemic will not extensively move into the heterosexual population and the fact that its rate of increase is declining among gaysboth of these factors seem only to exacerbate the vituperations directed against homosexuals and, specifically, against what is assumed to be their preferred sexual practice: anal intercourse. It appears that the virusunless it mutatescannot be acquired by casual contact; it is contended that it cannot be easily transmitted by vaginal or oral penetration. But all this means for some is that the manner in which the virus