Blunt talk about HIV, misleading messages

Re “HIV Ads Embrace, and Stun, Audience,” Sept. 30

Finally, some frank discussion of HIV and AIDS at a time when our government and even the gay community don’t want to talk about it anymore. Whether or not you agree with the ads by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, I welcome the discussion. It is long overdue.

HUMBERTO ANTONIO MUNIZ

Los Angeles

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I am not sure what is worse, the inaccuracy of the center’s new advertising campaign -- “HIV is a gay disease” -- or that a leading gay institution is devouring its own.

What’s next, ads from the Catholic diocese announcing, “Pedophilia is a Catholic disease”? From the NAACP, “Prison is a black disease”? From the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, “Illegal immigration is a Mexican American disease”?

There are better ways to educate and serve than with skewed and misleading ad messages.

CARL JOHNSON

Los Angeles