Condoms: A standard practice for all!

Around the world the use of condoms is seen as a trusted weapon in the
prevention of HIV infection. However, these efforts are often hampered by
religious beliefs.

President Bush has clearly given preferential treatment by providing
funding to HIV/AIDS groups and organizations which promote abstinence,
over those promoting the use of condoms! Steven Sinding, director general
of the International Planned Parenthood Federation says “Condoms will
remain key preventive tools for many, many years to come. The U.S. policy
of emphasizing abstinence is a serious setback to the AIDS control
effort”.

The Pope refuses to recognize the harm the Catholic Church is causing with
it’s refusal to promote condom use in the prevention of HIV and AIDS. HIV+
individuals have even been told by Priests and Nuns that they should not
use condoms!

At the 2004 International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Ugandan
President Yoweri Museveni said ”In some cultures sexual intercourse is so
elaborate that condoms are a hindrance”. Let the condom be used by people
who cannot abstain, cannot be faithful or are estranged”.

Condoms may not be preferred but the reality is they are now necessary.
The use of condoms saves lives and condoms work to prevent the further
spread of HIV!

Everyone working to promote abstinence as a method of preventing HIV
infection should have to include education on the need for a condom and
how to use a condom! Condoms prevent HIV infection!

We know that individuals who are told they must refrain from sex or make
pledges of abstinence that they are very often ill prepared and a condom
is not used when they do engage in sex. They become infected!

We also know that we cannot rely on the pledge of fidelity! Many women and
men who considered themselves to be in a monogamous relationship were
infected by their spouse. This is clearly evident now with the increase of
HIV infections among married women. Knowledge of and the use of a condom
is necessary in relationships!

Responsible sexual conduct means using a condom and if this is not being
taught then many more people will be infected with HIV. We will not see
change in the HIV/AIDS pandemic until the use of Condoms are a standard
practice for all!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca