The study , published in the July 12 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association , included 3,492 men from Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. The study s authors said HIV-prevention efforts should continue to make HIV counseling and testing services available and attractive for young gay men so they can learn their serostatus, receive appropriate counseling and be referred for care if necessary. Young marcher at the pre-Durban rally. During a panel discussion at the global AIDS conference on July 12 that was designed to help medical providers and community leaders share strategies about how to protect youths and young adults from contracting HIV, Satcher offered several additional suggestions. We should help our children understand themselves, he said.
Adolescence is a very difficult time, regardless of sexual orientation.
But some studies suggest it is even more difficult for young gay people. In addition, Satcher said parents should build their children s self-esteem. They should know they are wonderfully and beautifully made, he said, and that they don t have to rush to have sex. A CDC study released at the conference showed that Black teens are, in fact, becoming sexually active before their peers. The study said 71 percent of Black high school students surveyed in 1999 reported having already had sexual intercourse.