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A Gay Cruising Site Defends Itself (Over HIV “super-strain,” )
New York Magazine ^ | February 28, 2005

Posted on 02/22/2005 2:21:53 PM PST by nickcarraway

The manager of Manhunt.net on the HIV “super-strain,” unsafe sex, crystal meth, and corporate—and personal—responsibility.

The news that a New Yorker had contracted what appears to be an especially fast-acting, medically impervious form of HIV put the three-year-old gay-personals site Manhunt.net on the front page of the Times, and on the defensive. Along with AOL chat rooms, the popular site was repeatedly cited as a place where men arrange to have sex with other men (although the actual site, or sites, where this man met some of his “hundreds” of unsafe-sex partners while bingeing on crystal meth, has not been named by authorities). Jacob Bernstein spoke with Stephan Adelson, Manhunt’s general manager, a 42-year-old former Episcopalian monk and ex–Disney World hotel manager, about the site’s reputation as a virtual bathhouse.

Is the man with the HIV “super-strain” a Manhunt member? I don’t know anything about that. But the minute we heard about it, we contacted the Department of Health and the CDC.

How did you hear the news? I saw an article in the paper, and I sent an e-mail to my contact at the CDC, requesting any official information. There’s been no reference to this Website.

How many people use the site? We have close to 300,000 active members nationwide and 30,000 in New York State.

What are you doing to stop the spread of HIV? Right now we work with fifteen departments of Health. And there are more than 50 community-based organizations on the site that have the ability to do partner notification. GMHC joined in September. It’s been difficult because we’re a sex-positive site. Most of our users go on with the intention of meeting for sex. That can be an obstacle with some organizations.

How does notification work? If you go to a clinic and you test positive for an STD, they ask whether you’ve met men online. If you say Manhunt.net, the group will log on and anonymously let [your] partners know that they may have contracted an STD. Last year, there was a person who came in contact with around 30 other people. The numbers can be large.

But would you let these groups target users who are advertising their interest in unsafe sex? No. I just don’t think that’s an effective way to facilitate change. We had an organization that was contacting people who had barebacking [having anal sex without a condom] in their profiles, telling them about a new rapid HIV test.

And we were inundated with complaints. Do you ever feel personally responsible about the unsafe sex enabled by your Website? It all boils down to personal choice. We believe that people have the right to PNP [“party and play,” or to do crystal meth and have sex] or not to PNP, to use condoms or not use condoms. What we hope is that people will back up their choices with responsible behavior. We provided an empty site and our customers have filled it. But the majority of them don’t PNP or bareback.

Still, there does seem to be an awful lot of irresponsible behavior on the Internet. Why is that? The Internet is a great vehicle for like-minded people to get together, whether it’s to collect trading cards or do crystal meth. If it’s not a dating Website like Manhunt, it could be a bulletin board like Craigslist or it could be something new that hasn’t been created yet. But there’s no going back.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: aids; cullingtheweak; deviants; fags; filth; gaydisease; godsretribution; grid; hiv; homosexual; homosexualagenda; internet; newyork; perverts; queers; sinners; superstrain; uranism
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1 posted on 02/22/2005 2:21:56 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I wish we could have the choice to either pay or not pay for their "choice." But you know we will pay for it in th end one way or another.


2 posted on 02/22/2005 2:26:08 PM PST by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)
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To: nickcarraway
Are we supposed to take these madmen seriously?

We spend billions upon endless billions of dollars on the medical care of these lunatics, for something that simple public health measures would resolve for a very, very tiny amount of money.

3 posted on 02/22/2005 2:26:22 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (Honoring Saint Jude's assistance every day.)
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: dfwgator
"But you know we will pay for it in th(e) end..."

Very poor choice of words given the subject matter....

5 posted on 02/22/2005 2:29:26 PM PST by Joe 6-pack ("It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.")
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To: dfwgator
But you know we will pay for it in th end one way or another.

Yeah, the straight, safe, productive middle class is always taking it up the *ss for irresponsible minority (rich and poor alike).

6 posted on 02/22/2005 2:30:13 PM PST by Yossarian (Remember: NOT ALL HEART ATTACKS HAVE TRADITIONAL SYMPTOMS)
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To: nickcarraway; dyed_in_the_wool

that mandatory universal HIV testing and subsequent quarrantine has not been imposed has been a horror and a marvel to me since at least 1987.

hey, ditw - remember that editorial and cartoon I did that got me castigated as a Nazi by certain of our teachers and classmates? I predicted this eventuality, did I not?


7 posted on 02/22/2005 2:31:01 PM PST by King Prout (Remember John Adam!)
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To: EdReform; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; stage left; Yakboy; I_Love_My_Husband; ...
Homosexual Agenda Ping.

If you want on/off the ping list see my profile page.

8 posted on 02/22/2005 2:36:48 PM PST by DirtyHarryY2K (''Go though life with a Bible in one hand and a Newspaper in the other" -- Billy Graham)
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To: King Prout

Why do we care whether the scum die due to their own choices of behavior? Sort of like worrying about the safety of hold-up "persons" in terms of them getting shot during the commission of their crime IMO.


9 posted on 02/22/2005 2:37:10 PM PST by toddst
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To: Yossarian
30 partners for one STD notification. In your wildest heterosexual lost weekend how much sex happened, speaking hypothetically?
10 posted on 02/22/2005 2:37:11 PM PST by Thebaddog (Dawgs off the coffee table.)
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To: toddst

I don't care if idiots die of the results of their vice (be it appallingly frequent anal intercourse with a myriad strangers, or IV drug use, or what have you - it doesn't matter to me)

I *do* care about their present ability to hide their infection from, and thus infect, non-scum people.


11 posted on 02/22/2005 2:41:53 PM PST by King Prout (Remember John Adam!)
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To: BraveMan; FBD
"Jacob Bernstein spoke with Stephan Adelson, Manhunt’s general manager, a 42-year-old former Episcopalian monk and ex–Disney World hotel manager, about the site’s reputation as a virtual bathhouse."

Well there ya have it, one of Disney's best.
And didn't the Episcopalians vote to accept homosexuals into the clergy?
Niiiiiiice.

Normally I'd have said "We're really screwed" after reading something as disgusting, gutteral, & depraved as this.
But I sure wouldn't want to contribute to Adelson & Co.'s excitement level, either.

Aww what the hell.

...we're screwed, pal.

12 posted on 02/22/2005 2:43:34 PM PST by Landru (Indulgences: 2 for a buck.)
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To: nickcarraway
Last year, there was a person who came in contact with around 30 other people. The numbers can be large.

Now, what do you call a woman who sleeps with 30 guys in one year? whore? The homo "life style" is too promiscuous, and too risky, yet no one can say anything about it.

13 posted on 02/22/2005 2:53:21 PM PST by conservlib
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To: DirtyHarryY2K; lentulusgracchus; ArGee; longtermmemmory
BTTT


Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)


What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda


Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues"

14 posted on 02/22/2005 2:55:24 PM PST by EdReform (Free Republic - helping to keep our country a free republic. Thank you for your financial support!)
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To: Thebaddog; All
30 partners for one STD notification. In your wildest heterosexual lost weekend how much sex happened, speaking hypothetically?
Hypothetically speaking, 5, hypothetically...
15 posted on 02/22/2005 3:00:57 PM PST by olde north church (Powerful is the hand that holds the keys to Heaven.)
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To: nickcarraway
But would you let these groups target users who are advertising their interest in unsafe sex? No. I just don’t think that’s an effective way to facilitate change.

....FACILITATE CHANGE????

HOW can anyone have such a WHOLESOME, SOUND MINDED, HEALTHY attitude about such PHYCHOTIC, DERANGED ACTIONS that are costing us billions???

These people (QUEERS) just don't care!!!!!!!

16 posted on 02/22/2005 3:01:45 PM PST by SweetCaroline (My soul wait thou only upon GOD, for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5)
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To: nickcarraway
But would you let these groups target users who are advertising their interest in unsafe sex? No. I just don’t think that’s an effective way to facilitate change.

....FACILITATE CHANGE????

HOW can anyone have such a WHOLESOME, SOUND MINDED, HEALTHY attitude about such PHYCHOTIC, DERANGED ACTIONS that are costing us billions???

These people (QUEERS) just don't care!!!!!!!

17 posted on 02/22/2005 3:01:54 PM PST by SweetCaroline (My soul wait thou only upon GOD, for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5)
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To: nickcarraway

....sorry about the double post.


18 posted on 02/22/2005 3:03:50 PM PST by SweetCaroline (My soul wait thou only upon GOD, for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5)
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To: nickcarraway
Sigh.....all I can say is that the homos better get down on their knees(other than that!) and pray to God that we the people of the United States, are as civilized as we are....

In times past, people who threatened other people with a deadly disease were rounded up and put in quarantine...

I think Castro does this...the ONLY thing I agree with him about.

19 posted on 02/22/2005 3:07:59 PM PST by B.O. Plenty (Liberalism is a terminal disease.......)
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To: nickcarraway
probably like groups here in America are funding them too

WHO IS FUNDING HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVISTS IN CANADA?

The Canadian Taxpayer

It seems that Canadian taxpayers, whether they like it or not, are generous funders of the homosexual activists.

The homosexual lobby group, EGALE, (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere), attributes generous financial support from the federally funded Court Challenges Program, which in turn is funded solely by the federal Heritage Department. EGALE refers to these two government agencies as its "Platinum" supporters. But that's not all, Status of Women Canada also contributes to EGALE, as does the National Film Board, which recently completed a film in support of same-sex marriage. All this funding comes from the pockets of Canadian taxpayers.

Where would EGALE be without this support? Certainly not before the courts on a regular basis, seeking, from the obliging judges, legal recognition and privileges, such as benefits for their relationships, and legal sanction by "marriage" of their partnerships.

Also, where would the activists be without the Liberal government's political support of these activists? The Liberal government stacked the House of Commons Justice Committee with homosexual sympathizers in order to pass NDP Svend Robinson's motion against appealing the bizarre decision of Roy McMurtry's Ontario Court of Appeal (see REALity, July/August 2003, "The Sordid Story of How the Same-sex Marriage Issue was Manipulated in Canada," p.4). In 2003, the government completely reversed its policy from opposing same-sex marriage to total support of it, and the current Minister of Justice has stacked the Supreme Court of Canada with the hard-line feminist supporters, Judges Abella and Charron, to ensure that its own political agenda in support of same-sex marriage be approved. Further, the Liberals pushed through Parliament the notorious Bill C-250 that amends the Criminal Code to give special protection from so-called "hate propaganda" on the grounds of sexual orientation. This amendment will effectively shut down public debate on the homosexual issue and infringe freedom of religion and speech in Canada.

Homosexual activists have been successful on the political scene and in the courts only because of the unconditional support they receive from the Liberal government and its funding agencies.

Unions

With the funds they receive from compulsory union dues, Canadian unions are financially backing homosexual activists, and are also granting them special benefits and recognition in their collective agreements. EGALE lists as its "Gold" supporters, the following unions:

Canadian Auto Workers Union
BC Teachers' Federation
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Media Guild
Health Sciences Association of BC
SE-UQAM (Le Syndicat des employees and employés de l'Université du Québec à Montréal
Public Service Alliance of Canada - Local 00042

Other Supporters

Also, "Gold" supporters of EGALE include the formerly religious but now very social institution, the United Church of Canada; two corporations: IBM (International Business Machines) and Canada Digital Collections.

Not to be out-distanced on this score is the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). During the Gay Pride celebrations in Toronto during the week June 20 - 27, 2004, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hunkin, hosted a reception on the top floor of the bank's Toronto tower. Homosexual rights activists mingled with the wealthy and influential movers and shakers of Ontario including recently elected Ontario Conservative leader, John Tory, who is in support of same-sex marriage.

In his remarks at this reception, Mr. Hunkin stated in part as follows:

CIBC also has a long history of supporting the Gay & Lesbian Community.

In the mid-1990s, for example, CIBC made same-sex benefits available to its employees well before employers across Canada were legally obligated to do so. By that time, I was head of CIBC World Markets, and we had already implemented same-sex benefits for our employees before it was offered throughout the rest of the bank.

CIBC also had an opportunity to play a role, albeit a small one, in the legal battle for same-sex marriage. As the employer of Joe Varnell and former employee Kevin Bourassa, we are pleased that as they embarked on their legal challenge to the common law definition of marriage, they received the support, encouragement and flexibility they needed from managers, colleagues and specialist groups at CIBC. Through the courageous efforts of these two individuals, they became the first legally married same-sex couple - in the world

… I'm proud that CIBC was able to provide support to their efforts.

CIBC has also been a major donor to a number of L-G-B-T [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] related organizations over the year.

We've also worked to sensitize the workplace and create an inclusive environment for Transgender employees.

CIBC has also been a proud part of the community. For the past two years, our employees have marched under the CIBC banner at Toronto's Pride Parade.


The CIBC, by its own admission, therefore, is not merely accepting homosexuality as a matter of so-called "equality" in the workplace, but is actively promoting, both financial and morally, the homosexual agenda, including same-sex marriage. All Canadians who bank at the CIBC should know where some of its profits are being directed.

Asper Foundation

The list of EGALE's sponsors also includes the Asper Foundation, sponsored by the Asper brothers, owners of CanWest publications, whose empire includes the National Post. According to its Web site, the Asper Foundation was established in 1983 to develop major initiatives in culture, education, community development and human rights, locally and internationally. Although the Web site does not specify to which organizations the Foundation has made donations or the amount of each donation, it confirms that the total donations in "the recent past" total over $103 million.

Where do conservative organizations such as REAL Women obtain their funding? Only from the pockets of our supporters - individual caring members of the public, who are deeply concerned about the direction in which our country is heading.

In today's liberal (left-wing) climate, there is an uneven playing field in which to express our views. Our views, however, are probably representative of those of the majority of Canadians. (See enclosed pamphlet, "The Silencing of the Conservative Voice in Canada?")

In this regard, there are two actions we must take at this time:

CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)

The CIBC President, John Hunkin, self-righteously believes that the position of the bank in support of same-sex marriage is acceptable to a majority of Canadians. It is not. Please let Mr. Hunkin know that his support for the homosexual agenda is deeply offensive to pro-family Canadians, many of whom are customers of his bank. Please write to:

Mr. John Hunkin
President and CEO
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
CIBC - Head Office
Commerce Court
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1A2
Fax: 416 360-5271

John Tory, Ontario PC Leader

At the time of Mr. Tory's election as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, the homosexual lobby group, EGALE, congratulated Mr. Tory on his win and thanked the Ontario conservatives for choosing a leader who supports their cause (Globe and Mail, Sept. 20, 2004).

When John Tory was elected on September 18, 2004 as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, he stated that he believed the party was ready to rally behind him. He is wrong.

Mr. Tory has thrown his support behind homosexual activists and their cause of same-sex marriage.

This issue is the mark on which social conservatives draw the line. As a result, Mr. Tory should not have the support of social conservatives, the bedrock of the party. Social conservatives should treat him with disdain and distrust as they did his predecessor, Ernie Eves, unless he adjusts his position on the issue. Will they contribute money to bring down the party's debt of $8.5 million? Mr. Tory will have to rely on his homosexual supporters to assist him. The latter, according to Statistics Canada in a report released in 2003, in its first survey to include a question on sexual orientation, found that there was a total of 316,800 homosexuals in Canada, or approximately 1% of the population. In Ontario, according to this Stats Canada report, homosexuals/lesbians total 107,200 individuals.

In the June 2004 federal election, in spite of the Liberal party's scare ads against the Conservatives, 24 Ontario seats went to the Conservatives. In total 1,592,724 votes were cast for Conservative candidates. This is a sizeable portion of Ontario voters who maintain conservative values.

Placating social conservatives by proposing less volatile social conservative policies on other issues will not alter the situation.

By throwing his lot in with the homosexual activists to the detriment of society and the social conservatives within his party, Mr. Tory has detrimentally affected his electoral chances. He has definitely split his party over the homosexual issue, and social conservatives should not rally behind him unless there is a significant change in this stance.

Please write to Mr. Tory and let him know your views on this matter and the political dangers that he has created for himself and his party.

Mr. John Tory
Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
c/o PCRS
Room 200, North Wing
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A8
Tel: 416 325-7272
Fax: 416 325-3810


20 posted on 02/22/2005 3:08:11 PM PST by sure_fine (*not one to over kill the thought process*)
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