Plague in the Castro

           The westerly wind blowing the rainbow flag on the post, people are lining up outside the Castro Theater waiting for the ushers to open the theater’s door. Same scenes happened every Friday night as movie goers headed to enjoy some alone time with their family and love ones. Furthermore, the Castro has so much to offer there are a lot of –neighborhood stores, cheap restaurants and good landmarks. The Castro is a peaceful and friendly neighborhood and has been the refuge of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender community. However, stereotyping and stigma of disease still plague this neighborhood. The front page of the Examiner discusses regularly these issues about prop 8, don’t ask don’t tell and HIV/AIDS have become the main concern of the public. I feel that all the attractions and landmarks in the Castro are overlook because of these stigmas.

          One stigma, HIV and any kinds of diseases are being tackled by Representative Scott Weiner. Weiner is proposing that everyone at least cover their genital area before going into a restaurant. In the Castro one can often see naked people walking around the street. A naked and hairy Caucasian man standing proudly in front of the rainbow flag, surrounded by his friends in familiar conversation of politics and the economy, he will be the subject of tomorrow’s Examiner and Weiner’s nudity proposal. The Castro embraces nudity as part of the custom during special celebrated holidays of Folsom Fair and Halloween. Public nudity is legal in San Francisco except exhibiting sexual arousal and provocative behavior. Weiner’s proposal comes in shock for the LGBT community, a hindrance to overcome taboo in this nice neighborhood. Sitting on a metal chair in a Castro plaza with a book and a sarong separating his butt from the seat, Eric Anderson, a regular nudist was offended by the proposal; he said why they have issues with the human body. Nudity is not the only factor that taints the name of this neighborhood. Same sex marriage also contributes to a huge misconception of the Castro. Especially when proposition 8 was enter in the ballot last November 2008.

          Second stigma, proposition 8 is the battle against legalizing same sex marriage in California. Californians should be mature and enlightened to do what most American states have already done and legalize same sex marriage. Most prop 8 supporters argue the value of marriage between a man and woman. During the heated debate, I passed by the street and saw 10 small protesters near Castro Plaza with placards on their both hands. Snapping their cameras, scribbling notes, reporters were trying to get a juicy story which drives visitors away from the main attractions in the Castro. In addition, "don’t ask don’t tell" and HIV/AIDS contribute to another misconceptions of the Castro. HIV/AIDS have been the leading cause of death among gay community back in 1950’s.

          Third stigma, HIV/AIDS left a negative image in the Castro. Majority of San Franciscans are not informed on how many HIV/AIDS infected people in all parts of the city. I used to have a notion that people live in the Castro are infected with HIV/AIDS. As time progress, I become more educated and realized all these stigmas are not true. According to CDC, HIV/ AIDS recedes in the Castro and increases in the Tenderloin. Homeless gay men with mental illness are infected with HIV/AIDS. Due to the lack of resources and outreach programs gay men struggled with poverty and substance abuse. Outsider’s misconception of the Castro still thinks it has the highest HIV/AIDS infected community due to stereotyping. Stigma about HIV/AIDS leads to a huge impact in the preconception controversies among closed minded outsiders that affect the image of the Castro.

          The Castro is not the only neighborhood inflicted with HIV/AIDS and other controversies. This neighborhood shows more potential of being an innovated neighborhood with new changes coming and more to come. Help me discover the hidden gem in this community. Lion club, restaurants, shopping stores, erotic stores, health services and landmarks are needed to be discovered and explored. Join me in this exhilarating journey.