Dear Editor,
In justifying the dismissal of Professor Bain as head of Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies used the analogy of a person opposed to blood transfusion being in charge of the Blood Bank. The use of this analogy is revelatory. What is at issue is the professor's assertion that published data have to date not substantiated the hypothesis that "decriminalising the practice of anal intercourse between consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among MSM". The belief that the homosexual lifestyle carries adverse outcomes for the individual and the society presents no conflict whatsoever with the care of persons living with HIV/AIDS or with the training of health care professionals to deliver this care. It is, however, in grave conflict with the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle as good and normal.
Should the reading public then infer from the analogy that the core mandate of CHART is the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle, rather than care of HIV-infected people from all walks of life?
Doreen West
Kingston 6
drbradywest@gmail.com
What really is CHART's mandate?
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In justifying the dismissal of Professor Bain as head of Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies used the analogy of a person opposed to blood transfusion being in charge of the Blood Bank. The use of this analogy is revelatory. What is at issue is the professor's assertion that published data have to date not substantiated the hypothesis that "decriminalising the practice of anal intercourse between consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among MSM". The belief that the homosexual lifestyle carries adverse outcomes for the individual and the society presents no conflict whatsoever with the care of persons living with HIV/AIDS or with the training of health care professionals to deliver this care. It is, however, in grave conflict with the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle as good and normal.
Should the reading public then infer from the analogy that the core mandate of CHART is the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle, rather than care of HIV-infected people from all walks of life?
Doreen West
Kingston 6
drbradywest@gmail.com
What really is CHART's mandate?
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