Dear FWN,

I am writing to express my respect and congratulate you on your continuing crusade against the gay lobby, especially your protest at the Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney. Your moralistic stand is commendable but falls on deaf ears and, as a medical practitioner, my suggestion is that emphasis be more on the pathological aspects and astronomical costs incurred by the irresponsible sexual activities of this minority.

As a member of the Venereological Society of Victoria and subscriber to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations Bulletin, I have had several letters and articles printed over the years - some anonymously. I have found that people only stop and listen when you tell them the (i) physical facts OF promiscuous unprotected anal intercourse and (ii) the massive financial burden to the taxpayer of 750 new HIV cases per year - at a projected cost of $1.2 mill per case over their lifetime (ie, expensive drugs, support services, hospital care, invalid pensions, lost revenue from diminishing taxes paid, etc).

The average tax-paying citizen is often unaware of the following facts:

1. The majority of sexually active gays, especially under 30, still do NOT use condoms when engaging in anal sex with multiple partners, often anonymous;

2. The real reason behind the fall in new HIV cases in the last decade is the fact that the number of partners per gay per year has dropped from 200 in the 80's to 50 in the 90's;

3. The majority of visitors to Sydney to attend the parade are gays, many from overseas and here for a good time not a long time, eg at least 30% of gays in San Francisco are HIV positive and those visiting Sydney are NOT here to use condoms - only the lubricant in the safe sex packet;

4. The alleged $40 Million gain to Sydney is illusionary when compared to the eventual cost to Australia of caring for the extra HIV cases as a result of this decadently Romanesque orgy of abnormal behaviour - now being presented to the gullible citizens as variant of normal behaviour;

5. The public is not told all the distasteful facts due to a protective press and a nervous Government;

6. And don't forget all the other STDs transmitted by "gay sex" often requiring expensive treatments

... the sad story goes on!

Yours sincerely,
Dr D cKenzie,
Ripponlea, VIC