Frontdesk by David Waggoner

Lately, stories from all over the globe are suggesting that being out about one?s HIV status is not only hip, but it?s also saving lives. Take for example, Uganda, which has recently launched an HIV/AIDS booklet to share its experiences with other nations about how grass-roots communities can effectively save lives. For example, Ugandans met under banana sheds to discuss the disease and dramatically slowed the transmission of the virus into the general population. It?s a powerful lesson to be learned. As reported by The New Vision?s Charles Wendo in Nairobi, this UNAIDS-sponsored education project documents how it?s possible with limited means to help eliminate HIV.

In direct contrast to the paralyzing policies of denial found in South Africa, Uganda?s success at cutting the rate of new infections by more than fifty percent over the last five years is proof positive that shedding light on the topic of HIV/AIDS is the best preventative measure that a country can take. This honesty about HIV doesn?t seem the case, though, in Thailand?the site of next year?s big AIDS conference, where 20,000 delegates from around the world will convene to help put an end to the international crisis. Bangkok police have reportedly arrested and even shot at point-blank range hundreds

 of AIDS activists, drug users, prostitutes, and others deemed likely to carry the virus.

This sort of medieval approach to handling the AIDS crisis only perpetuates increased infection rates in places as diverse as Africa and Southeast Asia and forces the disease to go underground. While the American attitude toward AIDS is not nearly so sinister, it certainly is stupid. Witness the current administration?s abstinence-only approach to HIV prevention. This backwards way of thinking ignores the problem that youth are not aware of their own mortality and don?t always think before they act. This month?s cover, Fran Drescher, recognizes this problem, and thinks that we?re underutilizing a very powerful medium for reaching those most at-risk: ?AIDS should hit and affect the characters that [youth] are seeing and loving on TV every week. Even if a character makes a donation to an AIDS charity in the show, something that simple makes a long-lasting impression.?

When the healthcare establishment doesn?t provide leadership, then it behooves the entertainment industry to take on the role of providing the proper channels of education and prevention to fight the increasing rates of infection in our youth, gay and minority populations. While Uganda?s program was done with a minimum of investment, in this country it takes a powerful medium like television to reach as many young people as possible with a lifesaving message.

One surefire and cost-effective way to do this, as Ms. Drescher enthuses, is to ?reach out to the film and television community, and encourage them to include the subject of AIDS in scripted shows, so that it becomes more of the fabric of our culture.? Frank story lines are the norm for most of today?s top-rated comedies and dramas. It?s not a turnoff, but a right turn in the road for Hollywood?s creative leaders to actually utilize our nation?s electronic community center to tell it like it is?about condoms, safe sex, and yes, even the idea that abstinence is always an option.

Where young viewers gather every evening to be entertained can also serve as a site of education. From 8 Simple Rules to ER, and through their favorite TV actors with whom they identify, there are rich opportunities to move HIV awareness out of the classroom and into the hearts of millions of young Americans who might be too afraid to ask the basic questions about sexuality and sexual health in public.

That?s why it?s fine to let television do the enlightening in today?s society. It?s meant to be a popular medium. If anything, our popular culture might actually create something lasting. And hopefully today?s new infections won?t go into reruns for future generations.

October 2003