Woman and HIV: The MSM
Worldwide, women are the fastest growing group of people becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.  This is not because women are practicing active behaviors that directly place them at risk.  Male sexual partners of women are the main sources for HIV infection among women, especially women between 18 and 36 years old.

A very large and growing population of men identified and acknowledged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) place women at-risk for HIV infection.  These individuals are “MSM” or men-who-have-sex with other men who are not considered gay or bisexual.  Guam has a large MSM population.  MSM keep their sexual contacts with other men secretly and anonymously.  This is a new reality that places women at-risk for HIV infection.  The GUAHAN Project, Guam’s only AIDS community-based organization, works with the Guam MSM population to help reduce the spread of HIV.   

At first, this may seem like a contradiction in terms but there are clear differences between an MSM and a gay or bisexual man.  One difference is that MSM have sexual encounters with men but maintain intimate relationships, including marriage, with other women.  Another difference is that MSM do not have interests in gay or bisexual lifestyle issues as same-sex marriage, discrimination or gay pride.  Yet another difference is that MSM do not have long-term, personal relationships with other men nor do they socialize with other gay or bisexual men.  The gay or bisexual lifestyles do not appeal to MSM. 

Anonymous sexual encounters are a hallmark of the MSM population.  Many MSM report having multiple male sexual partners.  Because the MSM sexual activity is with anonymous male partners, the health and HIV status of the men are rarely known.   

Among MSM, being gay equates to being at-risk for HIV infection.  Because they do not self-identify as being gay, MSM believe they are not at-risk for HIV infection.  Compounding this problem are the minimal precautions taken by MSM for safer sex practices such as using condoms to reduce HIV infection.  

The extreme danger lies in MSM placing themselves and their female sexual partners at high-risk for HIV infection.  The secret lives of MSM make it difficult to access them for HIV antibody screening.  Many MSM are unaware they are infected with HIV and then sexually transmit the HIV virus to their female partners. 

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is 100% preventable.  There is still no cure for HIV infection.  Worldwide, every 11 seconds, a person dies because of AIDS.  The GUAHAN Project encourages people to discuss their HIV status with their sex partners and offers free educational materials to assist with this process.  

The GUAHAN Project performs HIV prevention outreach and support services to MSM and other populations to reduce the spread of HIV on Guam.  The GUAHAN Project offers free and confidential HIV screening services with three certified counselors on Guam in collaboration with the Guam Department of Public Health.  Please call 647-5684 or 688-2635 for more information.   

Written by: Alex Silverio, Executive Director, GUAHAN Project

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Director’s Notes:  The Normal Heart
“The human contribution is the essential ingredient.  It is only the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.”  These are the words of Ethel Perry Andrus.  Words that truly represent the work you are about to witness tonight.  The Normal Heart was just another job I auditioned for as a professional actor.  I played the role of Mickey Marcus.  But I did not realize the impact and the importance of this work as a theatre piece and a message piece.  We learn a great deal about each other based on our histories and actions.  This play is a history on the plague we know as AIDS and is one of most important examples of getting to know what we are up against as activists and people living in the age of this disease. 

The presentation of this play is not as unorthodox as you might think.  Plays go through processes of evolution known as staged readings.  The directors, producers, and playwrights need to see the play “on its feet” and more importantly the actors giving the characters a voice.  We as actors kindly and graciously give you this work as an expression of our dedication to educating the public about AIDS and the prejudice that surrounds it.  The work itself is presented in the simplest form possible – bare stage, uniformed costumes, and basic lighting.  It is now your job to use your imagination to create the scenarios and situations.  We hope to help you in the images you create. 

Now we ask you to contribute and to give of yourself for this cause we feel so strongly. 

Ricky Vergara, Director, The Normal Heart (Read More)