"The View" Doesn't Know Anything About HIV

GLAAD, the Black AIDS Institute and the National Black Justice Coalition are really not happy with the ladies of "The View," taking out a full page ad in Variety blasting them for their ignorance. On the June 22 episode, Sherri Sheperd and co-host D.L. Hughley said that closeted black men are to blame for increased HIV rates among straight black women. Hughley said, "When you look at the prevalence of HIV in the African American community, it's primarily young women who are getting it from men who are on the down low." But GLAAD and, you know, science disagree.

Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, said, "We have looked to see what proportion of infections [among African American women] is coming from male partners who are bisexual and found there are actually relatively few." He notes that the infections more often come from unsafe drug use. GLAAD demanded an on-air apology after the show aired, but since that has yet to be issued, they've taken their outrage to the press.

The ad, published yesterday, says, "When 'The View' talks about these kinds of issues, people listen. And there's a responsibility that comes with that." It calls for the show to correct their record, and provide sources of accurate information for all their viewers. Then again, if you're taking your health information from "The View", it might already be too late for you.

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By Jaya Saxena in Arts & Entertainment on July 13, 2010 2:11 PM

Comments [rss]

Reflect

25 pointless comments since HIV is not real to begin with..

These are the same people who used to think running mercury through your blood was good for you....

You doctors arent god people and have egos the size of hugleys head...

House of numbers, should be seen by everyone..

TruthFirst

While D.L. Hughley & Sherri Shepard may have been wrong by saying young black women "primarily" get hiv from black men on the down low; they are talking about something that is a very strong factor. As a gay white man living in the hiv epicenter of the USA (Washington DC) I have met many black men that enjoy sex with men while also having girlfriends/wives. From the married man in 3 seperate church choirs to the US Marine who has a girlfriend on the side; these men are everywhere. Because these men don't see themselves as gay they likely don't get the safe-sex message and are more willing than anyone to have unsafe sex. Tragic results for their wives/girlfriends. If this isn't the "primary" cause for young black women getting infected with hiv I would imagine its the secondary cause.

John Clavis

My friend Bill is a closeted, heroin-addicted poo-poo bolus. Should I keep letting him fuck me? Just curious.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

No, send him to Bloomberg.

Kelles

Why would he say "down low" when his name is D.L. Hughley and nobody knows what the D.L. stands for?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

I was about to post what the serial killer. Bateman posted. Sex is the highest cause of AIDS. It people don't practice sex safe because of the cocktails that keep the alive. I make sure to bag it and anyone who is near youngpro should wear a whole bodysuit.

fuboy

Yes, please correct this. Get on the air and tell everyone that this is because of drug use with unsafe needles, because that's SO much better than unprotected sex.

r1b2

Schmucks

ides_of_march

I'm surprised they didn't blame George Bush for it.

EastRiver

Reagan is responsible is AIDS. Didn't you get the memo?

EastRiver

should be "for AIDS" obviously.

RoboticInsides

This just in: the homosexuals like to eat da poo poo.

These people are idiots. One would at least hope that when speaking on an issue, they get a brief with updated information.

NannyState

If you are getting your vital sex educational info from The View, you're a 55 yr. old white female who can't be trusted for a one-nighter.

jpeditor

If you are getting your political educational info from Jon Stewart, you're consumed with white guilt.

Mr. Know-It-All

Clueless hacks like this love to throw around terms like "down low" to make themselves sound "in-the-know." And speaking of down low, what's with D.L. Hughley anyway?

Cannibal

If the View told its audience that eating their own shit would help them to lose weight they would all crap themselves and start munching

Tangaroo

That sounds more like Oprah.

"Under your seats...you'll find...your very own...vial of FECEEEEES!" (yay, yay, applause, tears)

Kojak

This happened because Barbara Walters & Star Jones wasn't there to keep the retards in check.

jaycjay

"When 'The View' talks about these kinds of issues, people listen."

Yes, because people who watch these kinds of shows are by and large idiots who don't realize that talk show hosts are entertainers, and are generally are not particularly well-educated or more informed than anyone else.