It Concerns us too:
The Reality of
Lesbians &
HIV+/AIDS
By Ann C.
In 1992 the Lesbian AIDS Project was founded for lesbians, by lesbians, as part of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). At its conception it served 30 lesbians living with HIV/AIDS. The Lesbian AIDS Project now serves more then 1000 HIV positive lesbians (Belge, Kathy).
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are no confirmed cases of female-to-female sexual transmission of the HIV virus (June 2006). This has led to a false sense of security that lesbians are not at high risk for contracting the virus. It is not sexual orientation that puts someone at risk for becoming infected, but the risk factors that a partner brings to bed with her. Among the documented cases of lesbians with HIV infection, all had an additional risk factor. Intravenous drug use, sexual assault, blood transfusions, artificial insemination and having sex for money are among the risk factors for contracting the HIV virus and passing it along to future sexual partners (Belge, Kathy).
The lack of documented cases of female-to-female transmission is more of a reflection of the way in which the cause of infection is recorded, and may not accurately represent the number of women contracting the virus from a lesbian sexual partner. “If a woman has sex with another woman and has other risk factors, such as drug use, the CDC would traditionally classify the transmission under one of those factors or as ‘undetermined’” (Belge, Kathy). As a result it is not possible to obtain an accurate account of the number of women infected from a lesbian sexual partner.
Homophobia is also an important factor when looking at HIV/AIDS in women. Lesbians, who are just coming out and are faced with negative reaction from family, friends, and society, may be more likely to turn to drinking excessively or drug use. “A study in San Francisco found that young lesbians engaged in high rates of alcohol and drug use, unprotected sex with men and sexual experimentation with young gay men as a way of coping with homophobia and societal pressures” (Belge, Kathy). These high risk behaviors greatly increase the chances that a woman will contract HIV.
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Having unprotected sex increases this risk. HIV can be passed through vaginal fluids and menstrual blood (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It is important that lesbians practice safe sex with all sexual partners. Low risk activities include masturbation, “heavy petting”, nipple stimulation, kissing, and erotic massage (Belge, Kathy). Sex toys should not be shared unless using a condom and women should wear a dental dam when giving oral sex (Belge, Kathy). These methods reduce the risk of transmission but no method is 100% effective. Women should consider getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases with a new partner before becoming sexually involved.
While there is limited information available about lesbians and HIV/AIDS infection, this does not mean that lesbian women are not at risk for contracting the virus from female sexual partners. High risk behaviors such as intravenous drug use, unprotected sex, and taking money for sexual favors increase the risk of becoming infected and infecting others. Becoming educated about the risk factors and following safe sex practices will decrease the risk of an HIV infection.
In 1992 the Lesbian AIDS Project was founded for lesbians, by lesbians, as part of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). At its conception it served 30 lesbians living with HIV/AIDS. The Lesbian AIDS Project now serves more then 1000 HIV positive lesbians (Belge, Kathy).
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are no confirmed cases of female-to-female sexual transmission of the HIV virus (June 2006). This has led to a false sense of security that lesbians are not at high risk for contracting the virus. It is not sexual orientation that puts someone at risk for becoming infected, but the risk factors that a partner brings to bed with her. Among the documented cases of lesbians with HIV infection, all had an additional risk factor. Intravenous drug use, sexual assault, blood transfusions, artificial insemination and having sex for money are among the risk factors for contracting the HIV virus and passing it along to future sexual partners (Belge, Kathy).
The lack of documented cases of female-to-female transmission is more of a reflection of the way in which the cause of infection is recorded, and may not accurately represent the number of women contracting the virus from a lesbian sexual partner. “If a woman has sex with another woman and has other risk factors, such as drug use, the CDC would traditionally classify the transmission under one of those factors or as ‘undetermined’” (Belge, Kathy). As a result it is not possible to obtain an accurate account of the number of women infected from a lesbian sexual partner.
Homophobia is also an important factor when looking at HIV/AIDS in women. Lesbians, who are just coming out and are faced with negative reaction from family, friends, and society, may be more likely to turn to drinking excessively or drug use. “A study in San Francisco found that young lesbians engaged in high rates of alcohol and drug use, unprotected sex with men and sexual experimentation with young gay men as a way of coping with homophobia and societal pressures” (Belge, Kathy). These high risk behaviors greatly increase the chances that a woman will contract HIV.
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Having unprotected sex increases this risk. HIV can be passed through vaginal fluids and menstrual blood (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It is important that lesbians practice safe sex with all sexual partners. Low risk activities include masturbation, “heavy petting”, nipple stimulation, kissing, and erotic massage (Belge, Kathy). Sex toys should not be shared unless using a condom and women should wear a dental dam when giving oral sex (Belge, Kathy). These methods reduce the risk of transmission but no method is 100% effective. Women should consider getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases with a new partner before becoming sexually involved.
While there is limited information available about lesbians and HIV/AIDS infection, this does not mean that lesbian women are not at risk for contracting the virus from female sexual partners. High risk behaviors such as intravenous drug use, unprotected sex, and taking money for sexual favors increase the risk of becoming infected and infecting others. Becoming educated about the risk factors and following safe sex practices will decrease the risk of an HIV infection.