Human lmmunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Gay Community: Counseling and Clinical Issues

Abstract

The gay community has been and continues to be disproportionately affected by the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Need for riskreduction education, mental health service provision, and assistance in grieving the ongoing loss of loved ones continues to exist among members of the gay community. Clinicians who work with gay clients should be aware of the critical issues confronting gay men who are at risk for infection, those who may already be infected with HIV, and their loved ones. This article highlights critical issues in introducing prevention in therapy and counseling, in supporting asymptomatic seropositive gay men and gay men with AIDS-related complex (ARC) and AIDS in their attempts to cope, and in assisting in the grieving process for those who have lost loved ones to AIDS-related illnesses.

HIV/AIDS and the family: a review of research in the first decade

“…I n some urban centres where there are large concentrations of gay men infected with HIV, an increasing number of men suffer multiple losses in their social support networks. The number of losses experienced is positively correlated with sedative use, traumatic stress responses and uptake of psychological services (Martin, 1989).…”

Grief, AIDS, and the Gay Community

“…This reaction is a normal response to catastrophic events, rather than a maladaptive reaction to a normal Stressor. 5 Dealing with mortality when one is 20-35 years of age is maturing and sobering.…”

Legal and Ethical implications of HIV and Duty to Warn For Counselors: Does Tarasoff Apply?

“…Not long ago statements such as the following were common: "There is a great deal of controversy in this area of research as to whether HTLV-III/LAV (HIV) infection alone is responsible for AIDS" (Carter, 1986, p. 403 Several authors have pointed out that it is the sexual activity, not the person, that creates a high level of risk (Carter, 1986;Lamb et. al, 1989;Kain, 1988;Martin, 1989). Kain (1988) maintained that not all sexual behavior creates a high risk for AIDS and that the counselor must make an assessment of dangerousness on the basis of the specific nature of the activity.…”