In light of World AIDS Day (December 1, 2015) and Charlie Sheen’s announcement on the Today Show of his HIV-positive status, I became curious about the few conversations surrounding HIV/AIDS and/or other sexually transmitted infections/diseases amongst Queer Women of Color, specifically those who engage in sexual activity with other women. Contrary to popular belief, women who only have sexual interactions with other women are not immune or incapable of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and/or infections. The lack of statistics and current information on this topic are yet another indication of how oftentimes Queer, Lesbian, and Trans* women are overlooked in the greater conversation about what is impacting the LGBTQIQA Community.
The world’s seemingly shocked response to Charlie Sheen’s admission of his HIV-positive status is wrapped in a litany of other issues, stereotypes, and stigmas. Yes, Charlie Sheen is correct that there are stigmas surrounding those who have HIV. He seems to have overlooked that there are also stigmas surrounding who has and can contract HIV. People were not solely looking at Charlie Sheen funny because he admitted to having HIV. Many people were looking at him funny because a heterosexual, rich, cisgender White man is not “supposed” to have HIV. In America, HIV and AIDS are diseases targeting the continent of Africa and Black homosexual men or “Down Low Brothas.” HIV has never been a disease solely associated with melanin, but I guess it makes it an easier “problem” to “deal with” when it’s an issue of the few as opposed to and issue of the powerful.
Despite the many statistics and detailed graphs explaining HIV and sexually transmitted infections in the United States, Queer Women of Color and/or Women of Color who engage in sexual relationships with other women seem to be left out of the fold. The most recent information I was able to find was from a 2014 Planned Parenthood article about STD awareness among lesbians. I guess such articles prove that Planned Parenthood is more than an abortion-offering agency, but that is neither here nor there…
The writer of this article seeks to shed light on many of the ways that “sexually transmitted pathogens can hitch a ride from one person to another.”[1] As the writer indicates, the idea that women engaging in sexual activities with other women are immune to STDs is a myth. The lack of statistics and educational materials unconsciously furthers this myth. By failing to acknowledge the health risks that accompany being a woman who loves women, we are allowing women and their partners to be put at risk. It is common knowledge that People of Color are the least likely to see a physician regularly. Contrary to popular belief, this is not solely because of a distrust of Western medicine, but – frequently – due to a lack of resources such as health insurance and money. With this in mind, coupled with so many women walking around believing they are incapable of transmitting or getting an STD, the number of women possibly walking around with untreated STDs seems rather alarming.
While there has been an increase in the number of free testing centers available in state health departments, clinics, and during awareness days such as World AIDS Day, one must have the forethought or the understanding that they could potentially be a risk or at risk in order to seek out such opportunities. In my opinion, that requires being educated about the risks, which necessarily requires a seat at the table to discuss concerns, as well as the opportunity to participate in data collection.
My hope is that, with ideas changing about STDs, AIDS, and HIV as more “non suspected” people come forward with their positive statuses, the statistics and educational material will stop focusing on gay men/Men of Color and start addressing everyone, specifically the broader LGBTQI Community, as a whole.
[1] C., Anna, “STD Awareness: Can Lesbians Get STDs?” April 7, 2014. /2015/10/thomas-roma-takes-inside-vale-cashmere/ December 2, 2015.
