In this email I want to deal with the issue of whether someone is gay if they are more likely to get AIDS. Someone tranmits HIV or the AIDS virus to someone else by sharing needles (tattoo or ear piercing as well), sharing fluids in anal, vaginal or oral intercourse and through the drinking of breast milk. The virus cannot be spread unless one person engaging in the above behaviors has the virus.

The assumption is that a person who is gay (males are often thought to be gay, not females)somehow engages in acts that are more likely to spread the virus. That is absolutely not true.

Anyone can be sharing needles, and then also engage in intercourse with a parter; this is more often often found in heterosexual couples.

Heterosexual couples also engage in anal, vaginal and oral intercourse - many people today believe that if they engage in anal intercourse they don't risk pregnancy and can still be considered virgins. If the male inserting partner has the virus, it is more likely that the receiving partner can get the disease.

AS you can see, it is more about behavior than whether you are gay or straight. We all need to consider what our behavior is, and protect ourselves from sharing fluids or needles.

I hope that answers your question, and feel free to ask more if you have them.

Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team