Not for Reproduction Q-Notes Not for Reproduction4 NOVEMBER 1 . 2008 • <strong>QNotes</strong>P E R S P E C T I V EEditorialRaleigh HIV case warrants news coverageSince the publication of our Oct. 23 <strong>web</strong>story “Gay DJ put on house arrest for secondQ - N OHIV violation,” Q-NotesThas received someE Spointed criticism. We welcome this exchange ofideas and want our readers to know the reasonswe decided to publish the story online,why a version appears in this issue and how we health of others.came to the conclusion that it was newsworthy. In cases such as these, when a person is aThe editorial staff first became aware of threat to himself and others, we expect ourJoshua Waldon Weaver in late August, as we government to step in. Weaver has shown thatwere preparing our Sept. 6 issue. Ironically, we he is not willing to take precautions in thewere chastised by a member of the communityfor not covering the story quickly enough. partners also bear responsibility for theirinterest of public health. While his sexualWeaver had just been convicted of violatingstate health regulations governing the law, inform his partners of his status and wearbehavior, it is Weaver’s duty alone to follow thespread of communicable diseases including a condom during sex.HIV, as well as others such as tuberculosis. As Among the criticism directed toward us,previously reported, Weaver admitted in court there’s been discussion about the stigma surroundingHIV and AIDS. Some have statedand to Q-Notes via phone that he had unprotectedsex with three men and failed to disclosehis HIV-positive status.reality, isn’t it Weaver’s own behavior that addsthat our coverage only adds to this stigma. InFor pleading guilty in the case, Weaver to the stigma? When many people, gay orQ - N Oreceived a 40-day suspendedTjail sentence andEstraight, think of people with SHIV, they thinkprobation. Terms of his probation ordered him of the stereotype of the unrepentant man whoto comply with communicable disease control repeatedly engages in dangerous behaviormeasures set by the state, such as using a condomand utilizing other safe sex practices. Weaver is fueling this image.wantonly infecting others. Rightly or wrongly,It is important to note that the court andLastly, remember that Q-Notes is a newspa-the state have never said an HIV-positive personcannot or should not engage in sex. That to forget this because our reporting comesper, not an advocacy organization. People tendthe State of North Carolina and its courts publiclyrecognize the validity and need for inti-Nonetheless, it is paramount that we guardfrom a decidedly pro-LGBT ideological stance.macy among gay males is a fact to be applauded.We commend state government for this the community.against becoming an uncritical cheerleader forvital recognition of LGBT and HIV-positiveWhen there are issues or people thatpeople’s right to sexual privacy and freedom. deserve criticism, it is our responsibility toIn our Sept. 6 story, we contacted HIV/AIDS report it. And when Q-Notes deserves criticism,it is our obligation to air your concerns.advocates and asked them about the efficacyand application of the laws applied to Weaver’s There’s a reason why letters to the editor andcase.We believe we handled this complicated uncensored <strong>web</strong> comments are accepted —issue sensitively and reached acceptable conclusionsto the key questions: Are these laws neces-you feel aggrieved. We can handle it.utilize these outlets and blister us wheneverQ - N Osary? (Yes.) When andThow are they enforced?EMore than anything, we Shope our coverageof this unfortunate situation leads to an(Rarely and in extreme circumstances.) What isthe obligation of a person with HIV? (Disclose honest and open discussion about HIV, AIDShis or her status to their sexual partners.)and sexual behavior among men in theMatt Comer’s Editor’s Note in the Sept. 20 LGBT community.issue (“New HIV numbers should sparkFor instance, why do so many gay andaction”) took members of the LGBT communityto task for caring too little about theirsexual health and failing to practice safe sex.The piece delved into a plethora of culturaland societal conditions that contribute to theongoing HIV/AIDS crisis among gay andbisexual men and men who have sex withmen (MSM) but do not identify as gay.In the end, Comer encouraged LGBT peopleto address these complex issues openly,while at the same time taking more personal❛speakout ❜Send your letter to the editor or anyother thoughts toeditor@q-notes.com or click on over toresponsibility for theirown safe sex practices andsexual health.Weaver jumped backon our radar late last month when he admittedin open court that he had already brokenhis probation orders. It is not our intent todemonize this man, but he continues tobehave in reckless and negligent ways that notonly endanger his own health, but also thebisexual men seemingly refuse to take personalresponsibility for their own health? Why havewe practically fetishized an extremely risky sexualpractice (anonymous, bareback sex)? Whydon’t we push our elected leaders to do more?Why would we rather watch the Oscars and goclubbing than lobby for more HIV/AIDS fundingand comprehensive sex education?For our community’s health and welfare,we’re willing to have these difficult conversations.Are you? ◗• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Q - N O T E Sour <strong>web</strong>site at www.q-notes.com andjoin the conversation there.Web comments will be featured in eachissue. Limit letters to the editor to 150words or less and includeyour name, city and state and a phonenumber where you can be reached.Should the state be able totell HIV-positive individualsto use condoms and disclosetheir status to sexual partners?See the options and vote atwww.q-notes.comQ-Notes Not for Reproduction Q-Notes
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