Washington Blade - July 12, 2002
Mike Fleming

The unlikely partnership took issue with Gerberding's approach to HIV prevention and abstinence education. While Gerberding pledged to reduce HIV infections across the globe, she also supported safer sex efforts and the abstinence-only and monogamy approach of the Bush White House.

"Marital monogamy is not an option for gay people," said Barry Hutchinson, a San Francisco AIDS activist who is HIV-positive. "Saying that points to inequalities in our system, and if we follow that scenario, we can't get married, so we have to forego sex. That's just unrealistic."

But in announcing the administration's pick to lead the nation's top public health agency, Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson said Gerberding's experience under pressure makes her the ideal candidate.

"I can think of no one better equipped to take the helm," Thompson said in a July 3 press conference in Atlanta. "Dr. Gerberding knows public health, she knows infectious diseases and she knows bioterrorism preparedness."

Gerberding, the agency's first female director, gained recognition at the University of California, San Francisco, with her work on methods to protect healthcare workers exposed to HIV. She then founded a center to treat urban poor people with HIV.

"My central goal is to substantially reduce and prevent HIV infections worldwide," Gerberding said at a press conference announcing her appointment. "I will work closely with Secretary Thompson and President Bush to expand our existing efforts with new approaches and new partnerships in the fight against AIDS," she said.

'Morality' debates cloud appointment

Despite support from Thompson and high praise from some AIDS agencies and several Washington-aligned AIDS lobbyists, Gerberding drew criticism from conservative religious groups and AIDS activists alike for seemingly playing both sides of the "sexual reality versus sexual morality" debate over HIV prevention.

During the July 3 press conference, Gerberding gave nods to both safer sex programs and the abstinence approach to AIDS prevention touted by Bush and Thompson.

"I will listen to Secretary Thompson, to be sure CDC fully embraces [his] priorities and those of President Bush," Gerberding said. "Most importantly, I intend to listen to voices that may not have been heard, especially those from external constituencies in communities, academic environments and the private sector, whose input -- sometimes painful input -- is absolutely essential to our success."

AIDS activists called for a partnership between gay leaders and health officials to curb what the CDC has termed an "alarming" rise in HIV infection rates in gay men after years of leveling off. Conservative groups cited a fear that safe sex programs that they say advocate immoral conduct will continue.

"Over the past several years, the CDC has been a rogue agency," said Sandy Rios, president of Concerned Women for America, a far-right activist group. "Promoting from within simply tells the entire CDC bureaucracy that the White House is perfectly satisfied with its performance, and that performance has been a menace to public health.

"Gerberding is the wrong doctor for a sick agency, credentialing safe sex programs as 'programs that work' on the basis of no evidence, thereby enabling the opponents of abstinence education to peddle to school systems yet another 'try it you'll like it' sex education program," Rios said.

In her acceptance speech, Gerberding repeatedly referred to a strong intention to lean on abstinence programs, including following the model used in Uganda, which has reduced its HIV infection rate.

"[Uganda's] comprehensive program includes strong emphasis on abstinence, marital fidelity and responsible sexual behavior," Gerberding said. "Abstinence and monogamy are the first line of defense against HIV/AIDS."

That emphasis should be a red flag to gays, Hutchinson said.

"Let's not hold up a third-world country as a good example of what goes on here in the U.S.," he said. "Their AIDS epidemic doesn't look like ours. Most people there are straight, and we have a predominance of gay men, and monogamy is just not their reality."

020712
WB020705

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .