World AIDS Day: Lesbians and AIDS

December 1st is World AIDS Day. According the the Centers for Disease Control, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Women of color are especially affected by HIV and AIDS. But what about lesbians? Where do they they rank in rates of HIV infection?

Well, there is some good news and some bad news on that front. On the one hand, there seems to be very few documented cases of female to female sexual transmission of the disease. On the other hand, the way the CDC tracks AIDS makes it very difficult to document female to female transmission.

But no matter if lesbians are or are not contracting HIV via sex with women, lesbians and bisexual women are just as likely to contract AIDS through other means: sex with men, IV drug use, rape and even artificial insemination. As a matter of fact, in some of these groups, lesbians are even more likely to contract HIV. Shouldn't you be informed? Here are the facts about lesbians and HIV/AIDS.

• Whether it's HIV, HPV or Herpes, make sure you know how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
• Stay on top of your gynecological health. Learn about lesbians and Pap smears.
• How do lesbians get STDs?
• Be informed: Lesbians and Herpes.

_{© Photo by David Dallaqua}