Paul Gann’s Crusade Against AIDS

“The fates intend” nothing by infecting anyone with AIDS. The idea that there is a purpose, divine or otherwise, to AIDS infection almost inevitably suggests that it is a punishment for some past immorality.

Fairbanks himself admits this with his puzzlement over Gann’s having the disease even though he has an “air of sexual innocence.” The implication that Gann has a “special right” to tell us what he thinks about AIDS because he contracted the disease through allegedly acceptable means is outrageous. So is Fairbanks’ implicit condemnation of the life styles and sexual preferences of the many who have died simply because they dared to be sexual rebels.

Equally offensive is Fairbanks’ mention of the fact that Gann “has already forgiven whoever it was who gave the AIDS-tainted blood to him.” Forgiven? Do these two think sexual deviants with AIDS are busily and purposefully setting out to infect the so-called moral population? Perhaps it is understandable that a dying man might make such a statement, but it is ludicrous for Fairbanks to repeat it.

Fortunately, few are self-righteous enough to think AIDS is a punishment. And some of us who support gay rights and oppose AIDS testing are neither “gays, (nor) civil libertarians.”

JUDITH GRANT

Long Beach