A Life No Less Precious

I was recently requesting sponsorship, in the form of pledges, for the AIDS Walk Orange County, held June 10, at Mason Park in Irvine. I am writing in response to the reactions I received from many people. People from all walks of life (white- and blue-collar, wealthy and poor) who recoiled in horror as if by my very presence and mention of the word, the killer is at their door.

AIDS is indeed a killer and, yes, AIDS is a gay disease. Gays did not cause AIDS.

The occurrence of this tragic disease is a biological event, not a moral comment. If that were so, how would one explain/justify the dichotomy of AIDS appearing in predominantly heterosexual populations in impoverished agricultural communities in Africa? It is also inaccurate to assume the promiscuity of gays or that all gays have AIDS.

AIDS has no respect for these imaginary boundaries that seem to make certain groups in society feel safe. It has touched most every group with any potential for the disease.

AIDS has touched all racial and ethnic groups, gays/lesbians and heterosexuals, and all age groups from the mature (Paul Gann) to the adolescent (Ryan White) to the newborn babies.

This to me is reason enough to support the cause to fund the research and to fight this catastrophic killer of gays and heterosexuals alike

I, too, have a fear of AIDS. I am a female Caucasian, heterosexual, non-drug user. I also believe strongly that one’s beliefs/lifestyle should not be forced on others, whether it be religion, politics or sexual preference. We are fortunate to live in a country that allows this freedom. Our preferences or choices are ours to make.

I think we need to look at and inside ourselves, both individually and as a society. Is it so easy to turn our heads, hearts and pocketbooks on a group of people because they make different choices or have different lifestyles from our own or that which we consider normal?

Finding a cure for the disease so the next “Ryan White” (and it seems there will be more), the next gay/lesbian, the next heterosexual or the next baby doesn’t die is the real point. Life is precious--no matter whose it is!

DEBRA K. SAIN

Orange