CYBERSPACE - JRL writer Keith Witchka recently interviewed Dr. Wilbert C. Jordan, a specialist in HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment and research, about bareback gay adult content and other issues surrounding the disease. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Jordan has practiced internal and infectious diseases medicine for 37 years. For the past 20 he has focused his efforts on a disease at the forefront of the gay community's conscience.
Among the most noteworthy of Jordan's comments during the interview:
- Jordan believes recent Centers for Disease Control statistics indicating a meteoric rise in infection rates among men younger than 22 is evidence society is falling down on its responsibility to educate young people about safer sex. "I don't think the role of educating these young people is the responsibility of the adult movie industry," he told JRL. "There are parents and institutions such as schools, community groups, CBOs and churches that must play their respective roles."
- Fantasy fulfillment is insufficient justification for producing bareback content, according to Jordan. Even with safer-sex messages at the beginning of the video, the message sent to some consumers is mixed, he noted. "...[S]hould we show a lynching by the [Ku Klux Klan] and warn people not to try this?" he asked during the interview. "We need more messages that say sex without a condom is wrong, bad, not wise, should not be done, etc. in casual encounters."
- As on-screen sex acts go, Jordan said oral sex represents less risk of contagion than anal sex. "The chance of getting HIV from swallowing is relatively low, but it can happen," he told JRL. "There are enzymes in the mouth that help to inactivate the virus, and so [will] the acid in the stomach. Now, there is a difference between one swallow versus many swallows, which increases the risk. It is important to realize it is a risk. The more you do, the greater the risk."
