Since the New York Times broke the story regarding the possibility of a drug-resistant super strain of HIV contracted by a gay male, who reportedly used crystal meth while having unprotected sex with hundreds of male partners in New York City, renewed focus has been placed upon gay sex, HIV and it’s relationship to methamphetamines. The nation bore witness, many for the first time, to the symbiotic nature between crystal meth and HIV exposure. With the real nuts and bolts of gay sex still taboo to the majority of Americans, this tragic tale about gay sex and crystal meth is finally being exposed.

Crystal meth, however, has been around long enough for those within the community to understand the enormity of its consequences. Some even categorize meth as the new epidemic: The havoc it’s wreaked on predominantly gay men is reminiscent of the early days of AIDS. Yet despite meth’s devastating effects, including its hand in rapidly increasing HIV infection rates, our local media, community leaders and politicians have hardly batted an eye at this worthy adversary.

The euphoric and addictive qualities of meth along with its propensity to cause both physical and psychological damage are widely known. However crystal meth – a.k.a. “Tina,” “Crissy,” “tweak,” “crank” and “speed” – use in the gay community is more nebulous, becoming a subculture within our own community.

Log on to any hookup websites and check out the profiles. PNP (party and play), where men meet specifically to take drugs – often meth – and have sex, is displayed unabashed.

Heightening the sexual experience and enhancing physical endurance, men who PNP may have sex for multiple hours with multiple partners. Inhibitions deteriorate. A person’s abilities to make rational, health-conscious decisions lay by the wayside, as the power of the moment and the intensity of the high take over. The decision to use protection, disclose HIV status and ask about a sex partner’s HIV status is somehow lost. As is often the case, this viscous cycle then feeds on itself: Addiction, shame and regret often lead to continued abuse and nondisclosure.

Bedfellow to issues of public health, crime and homelessness, not to mention the countless lives we all have seen destroyed by crystal meth, how is it that our community has remained virtually silent?

As with the AIDS era, the community needs to open a dialogue regarding crystal meth abuse. Beginning with local media, including the Gay & Lesbian Times, considerable coverage needs to be devoted to disseminating information about this phenomenon. The countless stories and testimonials need to be told. Most importantly, people need to be aware of and have access to resources and services in order to get help.

So much of our efforts and resources go towards educating our community about HIV and AIDS. From prevention to providing resources for people living with the disease, never has a community stood together to take care of its own more than the GLBT community. That said, this progress is under attack. We cannot combat HIV today without taking on the issues surrounding crystal meth as well.

Where are our politicians on this issue? Why hasn’t Councilmember Toni Atkins or State Senator Chris Kehoe made drug abuse in the gay community a priority? And it will take more than just our politicians. We need a collaborative effort amongst politicians, community leaders, bars and the adult industry. Only together will we be able to shape a collective consciousness about crystal meth and its relationship to HIV.

We’ve been too complacent. How often have we seen or heard about people we know using and just except it as the norm? As a community continuously criticized from the outside, we often are reluctant to place judgment upon ourselves. Our mantra has always been to allow people to live the way they choose. However, when does personal freedom become a personal liability? It’s time to say, “Enough.” It’s time for Tina to go!