HIV/AIDS Awareness

Re “Setbacks in the AIDS War,” editorial, Aug. 9: Do drug companies’ ads or safe-sex ads promote unsafe sex by portraying HIV-positive males as young, healthy and attractive? Why shoot the messengers? Instead of attacking those of us who are attempting to educate the public on HIV awareness, why not examine the broader picture? Portraying a HIV-positive individual as healthy and living a full and productive life will help promote untested individuals into testing and counseling. The use of scare tactics will only promote denial. Promoting safe sex effectively is a self-esteem issue, no matter your gender, race, age or sexual orientation.

Joel Frahm

West Hollywood