Petrelis Files

SF STD Report Shows Drops of HIV, STDs

June 10, 2005

Steven Tierney
Director, HIV Prevention
SF Department of Public Health
25 Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102

Dear Mr. Tierney:

The health department's latest monthly sexually transmitted disease report, which is for January through April 2005, illustrates remarkably good news about STDs in the city.

First, the number of HIV positive infections recorded at City Clinic, the primary health facility for the majority of HIV tests performed in the city, shows 37 antibody test results for the four months of this year. That compares with 49 such results for the same period in 2004, which means there's been a drop in this category.

Second, 2005's year to date statistic for male rectal gonorrhea show 141 cases recorded, while for the corresponding four months last year, the number was 147. Another slight drop of an STD for the city.

And third, the number of adult syphilis cases so far this year is 165, versus 231 at this point last year. Again, a decline of cases.

Since you and the DPH have continually sounded the alarms whenever there have been any increases or surges of any of these STDs, especially for gay men, I am most curious to know why there is only silence from you and your colleagues about these STD declines.

I've looked over the DPH web site for any press releases or announcements about the drops, and couldn't find a single one.

I know this may sound odd, considering DPH is not known for ever informing the gay community and all city residents about positive news regarding declines or stabilization of any STDs, much less three STDs, but wouldn't this June, it being Gay Pride Month and all, be an ideal time for you and other gay men at the DPH to widely inform your gay brothers of these drops, congratulate us for bringing about the declines of several STDs, and strongly encourage us to keep STD statistics down?

Could there be a valid reason or two why you, as a gay man, and the supposedly gay-friendly DPH have not yet made any announcement about the latest dropping STD numbers, patted the sexually active gay male community on the back for the drops or organized town hall meetings to explain the numbers?

Seems to me DPH will go out of its way to scream about increases of STDs, and in the process demonize gay men and gay sexuality, but when your own statistics show declines, deafening silence is the order of the day.

I am respectfully asking you to break DPH tradition and do two things this month. One, issue a statement about the STD drops; two, put on at least one town hall meeting about the newest statistics.

I would appreciate a prompt reply.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA

Source: SF STD report