Greg Louganis

I am saddened by the news that Greg Louganis has AIDS (Feb. 23). What struck me most, however, was the dialogue regarding who he did and did not notify when he was diagnosed as being HIV positive. The focus should instead be on why he was unable to make his situation public.

Other than both of us being gay, Louganis and I share only one common bond, and that is the memories of being silenced by fear and of waiting too long to go public. Once we acknowledge who we are, a factor in which we have no choice, we face various forms of abuse and discrimination. Louganis’ very real fear that he would have been tossed out of the Olympics and further ostracized left him with no choice but to keep silent.

BRUCE HOWELL

Costa Mesa

Your Feb. 24 editorial is wrong. Louganis was selfish, cowardly and reckless. He wanted to win Olympic gold medals so much that he was willing to risk the life of the doctor who treated him, and the lives of every one of his competitors.

In 1988, far less was known about HIV than today, and no one was sure how to avoid becoming infected. No one was sure then that chlorine killed the virus, and “universal precautions,” “safe sex” and always wearing gloves were not accepted standards. But then, like now, HIV infection was ultimately a death sentence. Louganis’ decision not to disclose his HIV, so that he could avoid the stigma of HIV and possible disqualification as a health hazard, seems insupportable and immoral when others’ lives were put at risk. People infected with HIV don’t just get discriminated against, they die!

HIV is a communicable disease, and that is how it should be treated. Making it a social issue rather than a health issue is wrong.

STEVEN A. MITTLEMAN MD

Culver City