Malfoyish
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- Jan 31, 2004
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Hello, all...
I was watching something on Showtime a few nights ago while battling an episode of stomach upset...by the time it was over, I do have to cop to feeling a bit more agitated. I don't know the name of the program, but it was a documentary of some sort...dealing with Gift-Givers and Bug-Chasers.
For those of you who don't know what these are - it has nothing to do with little boys with butterfly nets or exchanging brightly colored, wrapped Christmas presents. NOTHING at all.
A bug-chaser is an HIV-negative individual, in most cases, a gay male. The bug-chaser will desire only to become infected with the HIV virus, and the male being interviewed was saying that his reason for it is - to eliminate the question as to whether he has it or does not have the HIV virus. It somehow gives the bug-chaser peace of mind - they do not fear death, or AIDS or other health complications that would result from becoming infected.
The bug-chaser usually throws a party, sends out advertisements asking for HIV+ gay males, who would be called "gift-givers," to show up - there is much "bareback" sex. The bug-chaser's goal is to be infected by the end of the evening by one of the gift-givers.
There was also an interview with another former bug-chaser, who is now infected...he regrets his actions, and wishes that he hadn't knowingly infected himself with the virus. They had contradicting viewpoints...and a lot was said about respect for one's partner, etc...how some gay men become abstinent for fear of infecting their loved ones...and some other HIV+ gay males become paranoid and isolate themselves so that they're not able to get emotionally or physically close to another.
What are your thoughts on this, everyone?
Personally, I think it's all crazy...but I don't know...who am I to judge another person's way of thinking, especially when they may believe themselves to be right in doing so? It just seems so suicidal and FOOLISH to do something of that nature...IMO, there are ways of protecting oneself from contracting the HIV virus - condoms, condoms, condoms...not to say they are 100 percent effective, but still...!!! Why take the risk? Such a permanent risk, too? There is much I do NOT understand about this...
Discuss!!!
I was watching something on Showtime a few nights ago while battling an episode of stomach upset...by the time it was over, I do have to cop to feeling a bit more agitated. I don't know the name of the program, but it was a documentary of some sort...dealing with Gift-Givers and Bug-Chasers.
For those of you who don't know what these are - it has nothing to do with little boys with butterfly nets or exchanging brightly colored, wrapped Christmas presents. NOTHING at all.
A bug-chaser is an HIV-negative individual, in most cases, a gay male. The bug-chaser will desire only to become infected with the HIV virus, and the male being interviewed was saying that his reason for it is - to eliminate the question as to whether he has it or does not have the HIV virus. It somehow gives the bug-chaser peace of mind - they do not fear death, or AIDS or other health complications that would result from becoming infected.
The bug-chaser usually throws a party, sends out advertisements asking for HIV+ gay males, who would be called "gift-givers," to show up - there is much "bareback" sex. The bug-chaser's goal is to be infected by the end of the evening by one of the gift-givers.
There was also an interview with another former bug-chaser, who is now infected...he regrets his actions, and wishes that he hadn't knowingly infected himself with the virus. They had contradicting viewpoints...and a lot was said about respect for one's partner, etc...how some gay men become abstinent for fear of infecting their loved ones...and some other HIV+ gay males become paranoid and isolate themselves so that they're not able to get emotionally or physically close to another.
What are your thoughts on this, everyone?
Personally, I think it's all crazy...but I don't know...who am I to judge another person's way of thinking, especially when they may believe themselves to be right in doing so? It just seems so suicidal and FOOLISH to do something of that nature...IMO, there are ways of protecting oneself from contracting the HIV virus - condoms, condoms, condoms...not to say they are 100 percent effective, but still...!!! Why take the risk? Such a permanent risk, too? There is much I do NOT understand about this...
Discuss!!!