Since the worldwide outbreak of HIV/AIDS into a full-blown epidemic in the 1980’s, the public has come to understand the reality of the disease and have become better-educated on its causes, its dangers, and its impact on families and communities in every country on the planet. First thought of as something which affected mostly gay people and minorities, it has become clear that AIDS can reach people of any color, sexual preference, gender, or economic stature. However, even now, as we quickly approach the second decade of the 21st Century, there are forgotten victims of this global epidemic.
Along with heterosexual females, children and Muslims are not immune to the ravages of HIV and AIDS. While not heavily publicized, there are underground centers of gay life in certain Muslim countries where men secretly engage in quiet homosexual affairs. These relationships are heavily concealed and most of the men return home to wives and children. In the Muslim world, AIDS is a bigger threat than many people realize, and the harsh anti-gay sentiment in these countries doesn’t not prevent the spread of the disease. As for heterosexual females and children, it is not only in poor African countries that AIDS reached every type of population. Populous countries such as the United States, China, Russia, and India (among others) have serious problems with controlling the spread of the deadly virus.
However, there is one group whom people almost always leave out when discussing the impact of HIV and AIDS on specific communities. It seems ridiculous in hindsight because of the obvious dangers that these people expose themselves to. Yet, even in developed, wealthy countries, these people are often ignored, forgotten, and even discriminated against. We need to come together and recognize this problem and hopefully fashion a solution to slow down the epidemic among this group.
The group I am talking about is, of course, vampires. Yes, vampires. Vampires need to be educated about HIV and AIDS so that they can understand the dangers that they are vulnerable to. While it is well-known that vampires do practice safe sex, they do not practice safe blood-sucking. It is our duty as fellow citizens of this world to bring vampires up to speed on this threat to their survival. The days of vampires living eternally have deteriorated to flocks of these once-proud people losing weight and dying of pneumonia before they turn 150 years old. Many vampires have eschewed their traditional capes for plush bathrobes and boxes of heavy-duty band-aids.
My friends, this is something that we can fix. We must educate vampires on the dangers of AIDS and we must make it clear who has HIV or AIDS so that vampires avoid these people when they seek blood. My solution is simple and not-at-all humiliating: I believe that people who are HIV positive or suffering from full-blown AIDS should be forced to wear large black hard hats with a red “X” painted on top. Some might say that this is embarrassing to the victims of this sad disease, but the other option is the eventual extinction of vampires. Is that what we want? No more “Twilight” books? No more Anne Rice novels? No. Think of the impact that would have on our world, particularly the high standards of American literature. We must literally brand HIV and AIDS victims so that vampires can once again reach the healthy heights of the 15th Century.
I ask you to join me in this quest to save the forgotten victims of the AIDS epidemic.
