A.I.D.S. Publicity (Press, 15 August 1985)
This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: A.I.D.S. Publicity (Press, 15 August 1985)
On 15 August 1985, a series of letters to the editor were published, reflecting varying opinions on the subject of A.I.D.S. and the implications of its advertisement by the New Zealand Aids Foundation. One correspondent, M. Lyons, criticises the long format of the advertisement, arguing that the key message is clear: promiscuity poses significant risks, especially for homosexuals. He quotes Dr Barker, the Director-General of Health, highlighting the need for caution among the "gay promiscuous person." Another letter from Keith C. van Kessel, a survivor from German-occupied territory during World War II, takes issue with the advertisement's connections to historical propaganda. He claims that the ad inaccurately links A.I.D.S. information with Nazi propaganda and asserts that the first patients in New Zealand were primarily homosexuals. He expresses concern over the perceived misuse of taxpayer money for such advertisements, calling it "monkey-business." Varian J. Wilson's letter questions the narratives surrounding A.I.D.S., particularly the notion that it is not exclusive to the gay community. He argues against Dr David Cooper's comments on the impact of A.I.D.S. on New Zealand's young population and criticises the advertisement's suggestion that behaviour modification among homosexuals is effective. Wilson claims that Bruce Burnett, a prominent figure in the support network for A.I.D.S., did not disclose his condition while engaging with others in the gay community, implying that there was an element of exploitation regarding the fear of A.I.D.S. for political gain. Overall, the correspondence reveals a contentious dialogue about A.I.D.S., public health messaging, and the societal perceptions of homosexuality during the epidemic's early years in New Zealand.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand