Even though South Park recently declared that AIDS was now “funny” due to its long-time status in the media, rumored outbreaks of super viruses and a steady increase in unprotected sex are no laughing matter. But of all the news surrounding AIDS and HIV, the most disturbing might be that there are some people out there who “choose” to become positive. “Bug chasers” and “gift givers” – terms given to HIV seekers and those who infect others- are now for most people with knowledge on the subject. But while these communities and those that comprise them are not new phenomena, one motivation might be: money.

Infection and death, fear and knowledge…all of these are realities of the HIV experience. But with any disease, particularly one that has as much political power generated as AIDS, money plays a huge role. In fact, HIV/AIDS has more government and private money poured into it each year than any other disease of its kind: more than cancer, more than heart disease. This despite the fact that the number of those afflicted is far lower than other diseases.

As far back as 1999, research showed this phenomenon: The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that, “AIDS ranks below a host of other conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and asthma in disease burden. On a number of measures, AIDS ranked between 15th and 20th out of 29 conditions examined. (June 17, 1999.) Nevertheless, according to George Mason University, “AIDS is far and away the largest recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. In fact, AIDS receives nearly 30 percent ($1.4 billion) of all NIH funding, almost four times the amount allocated to the next largest recipient, breast cancer research ($381 million).” And the NIH budget, “Would expand 2.8 percent in FY 2005 to reach $2.9 billion. The majority ($1.5 billion) of this research would be funded by NIAID, the lead institute for AIDS research.”

And in the United States specifically, much of this money goes to providing social services to those infected. In fact, “The greatest amount of federal resources for

HIV/AIDS is channeled into domestic HIV/AIDS health care for people living with HIV/AIDS, which totals $11.6 billion in the FY 2005 budget request.,” according to the US Federal budget. “This would represent an increase of 6% over FY 2004….and cash and housing assistance would increase 4% in FY 2005 (to $1.8 billion.)”

Undeniably, there is a lot of money in AIDS/HIV. This is not where the problem lies. The problem seems to be that not enough money is in people’s pockets. So much so, that there are some desperate people out there who actually want to get infected so that they can qualify for this funding which otherwise they would not have access to. It appears that with the constraints of a capitalistic society, with such disparity between the rich and poor, some people choose to infect themselves with a life-threatening disease so that they can live.

According to resident psychiatrist/physician Daniel Rodriguez at a New York City academic medical center, this phenomenon is directly linked to the funding allocated to AIDS/HIV. “There are men out there who actually seek out other men to infect them which is known as seeding. AIDS/HIV is the only disease where you can get the government to pay your rent!” Rodriguez continues, “Seeding is a term given in the community when a HIV negative man will request an HIV Positive man to infect him because he wishes to seroconvert for financial gain.” He adds with a smirk, “Every time I tell medical students about this, they just can’t believe it.” You know who else couldn’t believe it: me! Just the thought that we in this society would allow its members to become this desperate as to actually go through such a process is unthinkable.

So of course, I had to see for myself. I viewed a variety of sites including craigslist and in various cities from New York to San Francisco to LA. At first, I had no luck. Then I returned to the points Rodriguez had made. Terms like “seeding” or “breeding” are often used to describe this process. While not all men who talk about “seeding” are actually referring to HIV, it is common to see it in this context. Certain titles included, “Muscle Boy needs seeding,” “Latino pig bottom seeks tops for seeding,” or “subsmoothhotbtm needs seeding” to name only a few.In many cases, these ads are not up very long, but will morph into similar ones to keep it difficult to track. In one case, “Top for BB Bottom – 25,” would change the profile often but all were almost identical: “if you want seed email your pic and stats.” Another ad-line: HOT POZ BB TOP LOOKING FOR HOT BB BOTTOM – 34. “6'2, blond, 185, green eyes, hung looking for a hot BB bottom with a clean azz to pump a big load in. Send stats and pic if you can.” (2005-06-17, 10:10AM EDT) Another less daring about mentioning being positive but just as blatant: “Midtown top looking for hot ass to seed – 30” “30 year old top in Midtown looking for anon, bb sex. Need to travel and want to find a hot hole to unload in. I am 30, mod hairy, hung 8+ cock looking for blindfold raw fuck…let's get plowing.” The lists appeared endless.

Although most men did not want to speak of the process they went through or would go through, a few insights did surface. I was able to contact three men who were thinking of undergoing this. None would give me much information about themselves other than their motivation. All drew parallels to living in NYC and the need to survive.  None of them cursed the system or complained. They only pointed out that dying from the disease right away was really no longer a concern and that if infected…at least they had some place to turn.

According to Rick Sowadsky, on the body site (thebody.com), “Being positive sometimes brings with it an increase in social services and benefits (housing, food, public assistance, etc.). A person who is HIV positive sometimes qualifies for more social services than someone who is not infected.” Several services exist designed entirely to offer free support for AIDS/HIV patients. Bienestar and STAP are just two of these such sites. Bienestar says, “Housing Specialists assist persons living with HIV, especially symptomatic individuals, in obtaining stable housing. Housing can range from shelter to transitional housing, to short-term and long-term stable housing.” And STAP maintains that, “Through the federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) Program STAP has funding available to assist eligible clients in meeting their rent, mortgage, and utility needs.” And this has yet to refer to other benefits including food, therapy, and even activities and entertainment.

The phenomenon has been growing as time has progressed and needs have grown. On such sites as craigslist that serve as means for communicating this infection, others have chosen to attack these positions. Referring to the “bareback police” one ad read in part: “If you are poz and fuck guys without a condom or disclosing your status, are you so self involved that you don't care if you are spreading the same emotional and physical misery that you have had to deal with? Sorry but many of us Poz and Neg are sick of your crap and we will call you on it.” (2005-06-18, 2:39PM EDT) Another man wrote, “I hear you, brother! That nut is so desperate to get fucked bareback that he is seething with anger at anyone who is not as frightened as he is! Seriously though, he is such a crackpot, I'd love to get a look at his psychological profile.” (2005-06-18, 1:02PM EDT)

And the debate continued with the following, “WE GET YOUR F***** POINT!!! You don't like guys that bareback...there are you satisfied? Is that enough attention for you? I know I can't be the only one annoyed by this. We are all adults here, and can make out own choices and do not need some freak using bait tactics to spread his message.” (2005-06-18, 12:33PM EDT)

Naturally, I am pleased that so much support exists for those afflicted. It is a testament to those in our society who wish to help those in need. The irony, however, is that there is so much money to take care of people who are already infected, and yet there is so little to help those who are not. If we reflect even on those three men for a moment and assume that their fears are similar to most, AIDS/HIV support gives people a place to come in from the cold, a place to feel safe from the economic elements within our society’s financial super storms. It is tragic that our society is so unconcerned with poverty and the injustices of a collective capitalistic system until after the tragedy has turned fatal. With unemployment rates rising (5.6%) and our social security and pension crises in the air and yet fully ignored by the majority of our nation, it is a very real possibility that with funding growing in AIDS/HIV, that infections of this nature could be on the rise.