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Seeing a Good Future I think you did a wonderful job in selecting your Visionaries in the fight against HIV [February 2003]. You didn't go just for the celebrity angle but also showed individuals who stand next to the rest of us in the trenches every day and make a difference. What a great glimpse of some of the leaders of today and tomorrow. Rita Atkins Brooklyn, N.Y. Fearing a Bad Buture As a longtime survivor of HIV and peer educator, I am writing to draw attention to what may fast become a source of institutionalized homophobia, discrimination, and oppression. Recently there has been a movement to recognize a 'population' of African-American men who have sex with men but identify as heterosexual'men on the 'down low' ['Villains or Victims?' December 2002]. Being on the 'down low,' in effect, says that gay and bisexual men are so inherently flawed, so worthless, so terrible that it is better to lie about who you are than to tell the truth about yourself and your actions. Promoting the myth of 'heterosexual' men who have sex with men is degrading and demeaning to gay and bisexual men and promotes continued stigmatization, oppression, and discrimination. It perpetuates the lie that gay and bisexual men aren't 'real' men'that we are somehow second-class human beings. I am appalled that a group of people that has experienced so much discrimination and mistreatment themselves would help foster and perpetuate a belief that oppresses, demeans, and devalues another group of people. I had hoped that the days when someone had to 'pass' for white or straight to be respected were behind us. As with addiction, the only way to effectively fight HIV is by telling the truth'reconfirming that behaviors are what put people at risk; holding people accountable for their actions and intentions; and providing everyone with honest, science-based prevention information. The down-low myth leads men who have sex with men to erroneously believe that if they are also having sex with women, it makes their behavior safe and does not put them at risk. This lie leads to countless infections of unknowing partners. Only truth can break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination. Permitting this myth to be funded and given credence is homophobic, undercuts effective prevention efforts, and oppresses and devalues gay and bisexual men. Phillip Herrington Pittsburgh Thanks for the Helping Hand AID for AIDS has offices in New York, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Chile, and Venezuela and serves almost 400 clients. Recently AFA joined the AIDS Empowerment and Treatment International Network, based in Washington, D.C., and composed of 40 AIDS service organizations. Through this network AFA now sends free anti-HIV medications to people living with HIV in Africa. AFA and the network are joined in lobbying efforts to increase access to medications in the developing world. Since we have more than 200 people on our waiting list, our need for donated medicine is more critical than ever. We want to encourage you to continue sending surplus prescription drugs you may have, opened or unopened, as well as telling others about our work. We are in urgent need of antiretroviral pills but also accept medications used to treat opportunistic infections and nutritional supplements to treat HIV disease. Please do not hesitate to call me at (212) 337-8043, Ext. 24, with questions about appropriate donations. Jaime Valencia, MD Coordinator, AIDS Treatment Access Department Aid for AIDS 515 Freenwich St., Suite 506 New York, N.Y. 10013