Washington: Forum Will Discuss Sharp Increase in HIV Cases

Public health officials have spotted striking increases in HIV among gay and bisexual men in King County, Wash., as well as rises in gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Last year, 94 new HIV infections were diagnosed at county public clinics. If the trend continues, officials expect a 60 percent jump by the end of this year. "This problem is not just occurring in Seattle," said Dr. Bob Wood, director of the HIV/AIDS program for Public Health -- Seattle & King County. "It's occurring in every urban area of the world." "It's quite clear to us the current efforts aren't sufficient. How do you best get at the people who are the most at risk? We don't altogether know that yet," Wood said. Gay City Health Project is hosting a community forum for gay, bisexual, and transgender men about the rise in infections at 7 p.m. Thursday. Promising a "no-holds barred look at what's really going on in the community," the free forum will take place at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, on Capitol Hill. The discussion is open to men and women of all ages and sexual preferences; telephone 206-860-6969. "Many of the people we're trying to reach can't picture themselves being gay and growing older," said Avram Katzman, spokesperson for Gay City Health. "Instead of standing on the sidelines and saying 'Gay people don't care about themselves,' let's show that we do."

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