In a pandemic world where we are kept from human interaction, one can call back to another time where something similar occurred: the AIDs epidemic. Of course, AIDs and COVID are not the same but in both cases, there was, or still is, a responsibility to inform people in order to keep them safe/healthy. However, the question remains: who actually does that, and do people listen to the warnings/concerns when they’re presented?
In their article “How to Have Sex in an Epidemic,” Richard Berkowitz and Michael Callen look at how sex has changed due to the AIDs epidemic. They “believe that AIDs patients have an ethical obligation to advise potential partners of their health status [… and they] believe that AIDS patients must allow their partners to make their own choice” (572). This is all well and good, and people should and did do that. But patients, and their partners, are human beings who have desires and don’t always want to go into their sexual histories, especially if it is the first time with a person.
An interesting example of this is in Angels in America by Tony Kushner. The play deals with many topics, one of which being AIDs and how it affects people. To Berkowitz and Callen’s point, there is an interaction between Joe and Louis (Part 2, Act 1 Scene 2) where they sort of discuss the potential dangers of them having sex. Joe knows that Louis’s boyfriend/ex-boyfriend has AIDs and that makes him nervous. There are multiple times where Joe states his discomfort and yet, Louis continues to “persuade” him to go further than he may be comfortable. In fact, Louis barely addresses the fact that he himself has had a sexual relationship with someone with AIDs. He has made his choice (to leave Prior and find new people to have sex with) but he doesn’t give Louis as much of a choice to decide what he’s comfortable with. By not having that conversation, and considering both of their comfort levels, both Louis and Joe are putting each other in danger.
Similarly, in the comic Dykes to Watch Out For, the characters Lois, Mo, and Ginger discuss how much sexual history you should go into with a new partner, even if it is just a one-night stand. It is hard to know, they decide, how much to disclose but it is a conversation that should happen. Unlike the scene between Joe and Louis, later scenes in the comic show Mo and her partner, Harriet, taking the time to have that discussion, ensuring that both feel safe and comfortable to continue.
Sexual histories are something no one wants to go into. But in an epidemic, it is important to consider it, especially when having sex with someone new. Perhaps, the important part of the conversation isn’t merely “Who have you f*cked” but “What are you comfortable with so that this can be a safe and pleasant experience.” Our current lives in a pandemic have reopened that conversation of people’s comfort levels in order to feel safe. Yes, we are human beings with needs, and we shouldn’t ignore them. But one’s own safety and the safety of others should not be ignored. If that happens, one moment of joy can have catastrophic consequences.
I totally agree with you here. While this conversation may be uncomfortable to have – especially with a new partner – it is necessary to discuss. I feel like today, these conversations are much easier to have. For example, part of my sex education discussed AIDS and ways to prevent contracting it – it was not stated explicitly, but it was highly implied that part of prevention is having a conversation about our sexual history. Yet, at the same time, I understand why it was difficult to have this conversation in the height of the AIDS epidemic. We are human and we seek other people; it is terrifying to have this conversation because we feared what it may imply. However, I like you framed the discussion. The conversation is not just about sexual history, it is about comfort and giving our partners the ability to decide what they’re comfortable with.
I really appreciate the unique way you connected COVID and AIDS. The idea of contact tracing, both in a sexual context and a public context, is incredibly important. I would add that the conversation between sexual partners is more complicated and difficult than a conversation between potential COVID carriers in 2021. People who are in close contact at this time are often friends or family. They typically have trust between them, making the idea of contact tracing and disclosing your health fairly comfortable. However, sexual partners may not have established trust beyond the mattress. Without trust, many people with a sexual relationship may not feel safe disclosing their sexual history. Nonetheless, people must discuss, in whatever way they feel comfortable, their sexual history.
I agree. Though obviously not everyone sees it this way, these conversations are a responsibility people have to public health, at least in my view. We saw that with COVID in the past year, and it’s just as true with the AIDS crisis. Sure it’s an awkward conversation, but isn’t an awkward conversation better than spreading a disease that has the potential to make an already fairly small LGBT community even smaller? I think we owe it to each other in times of crisis to take steps to make things as safe as possible for everyone. Just like you said, in comparison to Louis and Joe in “Angels of America” Mo and Harriet display a much safer and healthier relationship by giving each other the chance to have that discussion.