31

Back in the early 1980s, AIDS was originally named Gay-related Immune Deficiency (GRID). Researchers renamed the disease as they became aware of the spread of the disease in other demographics. For the non-USA population that may not be aware of this long held belief, a gay organization in 2006 flip-flopped on their position.

The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center has abandoned a long-held homosexual activist contention by declaring on billboards posted throughout Southern California that HIV/AIDS is a “gay disease.”

Is AIDS primarily a homosexual-male disease in the USA today? if not,

Is AIDS disproportionately represented in the homosexal-male community in the USA today?

1
  • 1
    One note; one has to take into account the historicity of the data. It is a fact that among conservative circles the onset of HIV was a sign of condemnation of "fags" and "junkies" (sic), which were the most affected groups for many reasons. One now can see that indeed other people are also target, while the momentum gained earlier among these groups, mentioned before, continues or maybe even slows down (i think this is reflected in these statistics)
    – Nikos M.
    Commented Jun 18, 2014 at 0:26

1 Answer 1

40

Yes, according to statistics (2010):

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) of all races and ethnicities remain the population most profoundly affected by HIV.

Although MSM represent about 4% of the male population in the United States, in 2010, MSM accounted for 78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections. MSM accounted for 52% of all people living with HIV infection in 2009, the most recent year these data are available.

In 2010, white MSM continued to account for the largest number of new HIV infections (11,200), by transmission category, followed closely by black MSM (10,600).

The estimated number of new HIV infections was greatest among MSM in the youngest age group. In 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among MSM occurred in young black/African American MSM aged 13–24. Young black MSM accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black MSM and 55% of new HIV infections among young MSM overall.

Estimated New HIV Infections in the United States, 2010, for the Most Affected Subpopulations:

enter image description here

IDU = injecting drug user
MSM = men who have sex with men

Source: aids.gov. HIV IN THE UNITED STATES: AT A GLANCE

19
  • 23
    Purely out of fear that these numbers will be used for homophobic propaganda purposes (and to justify unsafe heterosexual sex), note that still leaves over a third of infections amongst non-MSM. While HIV does disproportionately affect MSM, it is by no means limited to that population.
    – Oddthinking
    Commented Jun 13, 2014 at 2:04
  • 4
    I would assume that the real risk factor is anal penetration and not necessarily if the receiving butt is male or female. Commented Jun 13, 2014 at 10:08
  • 3
    Worth noting that, whilst these numbers are true, HIV incidence in Homosexual men is on the decline, but between heterosexual couples, it is increasing. Commented Jun 13, 2014 at 12:07
  • 6
    @DavidWilkins: Presumably they didn't make the 2% mark as listed above. Using the statistics at cdc.gov/hiv/risk/gender/men/index.html, they might be as high as 2000, but that's only if you assume that every white male who doesn't fit the MSM category is a whiter hetero man. Commented Jun 13, 2014 at 12:41
  • 6
    @pandita: While anal sex is a more efficient vector, it isn't that simple.
    – Oddthinking
    Commented Jun 13, 2014 at 15:23

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .