Would gays be more accepted and mainstream without HIV?
If the HIV scare never happened, is it fair to think that acceptance of the gay community would be much more widespread? It was during the 80s that the community got hit for promiscuity...and we as a society never fully recovered from that. Do you think that gays would be considered mainstream if it weren't for the virus?
No. HIV was definitely bad publicity, but at the same time, all publicity is good publicity. I think it definitely moved homosexuals into a more mainstream light even if it wasn't that great of light.
I'd say there was some progress started during the 50's/60s (look up the Mattachine Society and other activism during that time period) that unfortunately got halted.
Nah. But that would be one less 'argument' from the bigots against it
No it wouldn't. Straight women and men catch HIV just like gays do. Its just that the gays took there lead in advocating for HIV treatment and awareness.
