I find the blaming of porn stars for Sheen's HIV status to be misogynistic and moralistic

[rocktivity]

68. But people could have gotten HIV from HIM even though his levels are "undectable"

Last edited Tue Nov 17, 2015, 10:41 PM - Edit history (2)

and if you're HIV positive -- even undectably so -- YOU'RE REQUIRED BY LAW to let your partner know whether you have protected sex or not. Maybe Sheen shouldn't be blamed for contracting HIV, but he should certainly be blamed for taking the risk of passing it on.

From the Today Show website: The Interview with Matt Lauer

Excerpts from an open letter Charlie wrote and Lauder read:

Roughly four years ago, I suddenly found myself in the throes of a seismic and debilitating three-day cluster migraine-like headache...Following a battery of endless tests (that included a hideous spinal tap), it was sadly and shockingly revealed to me that I was, in fact, positive for HIV...Not missing a beat, a med dose, or one shred of guidance, quickly my viral loads became undetectable. Like every other challenge in my life, again, I was victorious and kicking this disease's ass...

The personal disbelief, karmic confusion, shame and anger lead to a temporary yet abysmal descent into profound substance abuse and fathomless drinking. It was a suicide run. Problem was, I'd forgotten that I'm too tough for such a cowardly departure. Yet, despite this loathsome and horrific odyssey, I was vigilant with my anti-viral program. My medical team could only shake their heads as each and every blood test returned levels revealing a state of remission. Even though I might have been trying to kill myself, one thing was radically evident: the disease was not.

Talk about being your own worst enemy: You decide to go out in a blaze of glory, but having access to the best medical care money can buy, you also decide to try saving yourself. Or was the suicide run your backup plan?

In and around this perplexing and difficult time, I dazedly chose (or hired) the companionship of unsavory and insipid types. Regardless of their salt-less reputations, I always led with condoms and honesty when it came to my condition. Sadly, my truth soon became their treason, as a deluge of blackmail and extortion took center stage in this circus of deceit. To date, I have paid out countless millions to these desperate charlatans. Locked in a vacuum of fear, I chose to allow their threats and skullduggery to vastly deplete future assets from my children, while my 'secret' sat entombed in their hives of folly (or so I thought).

It's admirable that you remember always remembering to inform your partners of your condition despite being so abysmally descended and dazed. And I suppose it's admirable that you found a way to mix in safe sex with your pursuit of debauchery with strangers (some of whom you hired). But unfortunately for you, some of those unsavory, insipid, disreputable companions have come forth begging to differ with your contention. But why did you agree to pay them if you always supplied them with the truth about your status along with condoms? And more to the point, why did you trust such bottom-dwelling lowlifes to care about your confidence -- because they're in it for money rather than love?

...I'm claiming back my freedom. The scales of justice will swiftly and righteously re-balance themselves. My partying days are behind me. My philanthropic days are ahead of me. Ernest Hemingway once wrote: "Courage is grace under pressure." I've served my time under pressure; I now embrace the courage, and the grace.

If the scales of justice are operational, they will have you serving California's six-month maximum for every person you didn't inform or use condoms with -- consecutively. A defense strategy made up of celebrity justice, "family guy" guilt tripping, the hint of big community service payments, and prostitutes screaming rape because their checks bounced might get you off the hook. But in the meantime, please keep in mind that:

As of now, there is no such thing as being HIV free
There are only two HIV statuses: HIV positive and HIV negative
If your HIV levels are so low they're undetectable, you are HIV positive
If you are HIV positive, you should inform your partners even if you're paying them. It's as civilized as it is legal.

An undetectable case of HIV is like a mild case of pregnancy.


rocktivity