tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post4735396313850013634..comments2023-08-06T05:52:29.692-04:00Comments on Keep It Trill: Chasers: Chasing HIV For BenefitsKit (Keep It Trill)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-61800771554894995632008-10-05T00:58:00.000-04:002008-10-05T00:58:00.000-04:00Thanks for the feedback, Laura. I have a neighbor ...Thanks for the feedback, Laura. I have a neighbor who did exactly what you said. He pretends he's too disabled to work from obesity-related problems and has been sitting on his azz for years hoping to win a law suit for some sort of alleged injury that I can't see and if it exists, it's because he weighs 400 pounds. He met his wife who was down on her luck and living in a shelter, then married her so he could live there too. <BR/><BR/>She's doing great now and has a good job, and she pays the rent. I live in a nice building so it's not cheap. He's as personable as any good con man and plays the role of the stay at home parent of her two children - who are old enough that they can babysit themselves, and he cheats on her too; he had hit on me a couple times and almost puked, lol.<BR/><BR/>At any rate, while many people are truly poor or mentally ill, some folks just have low characters.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-28767767214037626032008-10-04T13:42:00.000-04:002008-10-04T13:42:00.000-04:00I am not surprise. I remember working with truant...I am not surprise. I remember working with truant children in New York and discovering that men marry women to get into the shelter system. NYC always find housing for families. Unfortunately, this is an sad, unfortunate and bewildering extension of this type of survival mode. <BR/><BR/>Those of us who work in the field of social service see desperate acts by people who just want to survive. It is sad. And from where I stand it is going to get worse before it get better, if at all.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13406504511710167652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-91372097485972912942008-10-02T13:36:00.000-04:002008-10-02T13:36:00.000-04:00Thank you Black Gay Man for your insight. I imagin...Thank you Black Gay Man for your insight. I imagine you did feel that one commenter unfairly pigeon-holed gay men when she said of the gay community, "some of them wonder why they get a bad name," after she read the link to the Rolling Stone article about bug chasers.<BR/><BR/>I'm appreciative that you pointed out my article "got it right". I've known more gays and lesbians who were rejected by their parents and families than ones who were not. It's tragic. And you're dead right about the loneliness this causes and how so many of them with HIV die alone or without their own mother's by their side. I've known a few. It's very sad.<BR/><BR/>Oh, just read your 2nd comment, Black Gay Man as I was finishing this. I think the overwhelming majority of people who read this appreciate that the article is not about gay people but the latest horror among a tiny segment of the poor, so I hope her comment doesn't blow your day.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-31027997816079152072008-10-02T13:32:00.000-04:002008-10-02T13:32:00.000-04:00a black gay man: I also wanted to point out to "mi...a black gay man: I also wanted to point out to "mimi" that the people that kit referred to in her post ARE NOT GAY. The article in Rolling Stone, which is about five years old, is another matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-64074739135587869832008-10-02T12:48:00.000-04:002008-10-02T12:48:00.000-04:00mimi said... "As far as the gay community, some of...mimi said... "As far as the gay community, some of them wonder why they get a bad name. First it was the bath houses in the '80s now this".<BR/><BR/>What does being gay have to do with this? This is a human problem. A human tragedy. <BR/><BR/>The webmistress (thank you, "kit") got it right when she observed that "it's shameful what the culture of poverty has done to some of our most vulnerable citizens".<BR/><BR/>The majority of gay men, and black gay men in particular, are not "bug-chasers". <BR/><BR/>They are, however, looking for some kind of love/acceptance/belonging in a mostly hostile, even hateful, world. <BR/><BR/>I know black gay men who died alone and unloved in the 80s and 90s because THEIR OWN MOTHERS (as well as everyone else) rejected them for being gay and having AIDS. Now you know you are in sad shape when YOUR OWN MOTHER turns her back on you when you are about to die because of what you are (GAY) and what you are about to die from (HIV/AIDS). <BR/><BR/>I thought this post was on point. Most of the commenters expressed some degree of shock, which is understandable considering the subject matter, without being judgmental (except mimi). <BR/><BR/>Do not attack gay men. We are attacked enough as it is!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-34759741311056836272008-10-01T20:24:00.000-04:002008-10-01T20:24:00.000-04:00Baltimore is nuts anyway so I wouldn't doubt the n...Baltimore is nuts anyway so I wouldn't doubt the numbers and the research. Thanks for the post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-6343092838939596572008-10-01T14:26:00.000-04:002008-10-01T14:26:00.000-04:00Intellectual Hedonist, nice to see you again in my...<B>Intellectual Hedonist</B>, nice to see you again in my spot of cyberspace! Those VSB boys rock, don't they? Anyway, yeah, it's mind-blowing.<BR/><BR/><B>Real Hustla</B>, hi. My response to this sad information was similar to yours: I had to stop writing it the first evening and back off it for nearly three days before I could finish it. It's <I>shameful</I> what the culture of poverty has done to some of our most vulnerable citizens.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-45303516247566609462008-10-01T12:06:00.000-04:002008-10-01T12:06:00.000-04:00I couldn't finish reading. It's too painful. Whe...I couldn't finish reading. It's too painful. When I feel desperate, I'll remember I'm blessed. You are awesome to volunteer yourself to be on the front lines aiding the "invisible."RealHustlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07070016006573810157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-50635350827613470422008-09-30T23:05:00.000-04:002008-09-30T23:05:00.000-04:00this is truly a sad reflection of our inept social...this is truly a sad reflection of our inept social service system, and not because we don't have capable people as substance abuse, or mental health care workers but because in our society we would rather throw people away than to throw money after providing compident and available services to assist them. Truly shockingIntellectual Hedonisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02869188815954302021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-21017975665718291772008-09-30T17:54:00.000-04:002008-09-30T17:54:00.000-04:00Chocolatai, thanks, and your front line HIV tester...<B>Chocolatai</B>, thanks, and your front line HIV testers will be the ones to know the extent, if any, of this going on in your city/clinic. Hope you return with any info you discover.<BR/><BR/><B>Champ</B>, sometimes 'wow' and 'damn' does say it all.<BR/><BR/><B>Maia</B>, you're welcome, and thanks for moving beyond the lurker phase. Appreciate it.<BR/><BR/><B>MacDaddy</B>, If you of all people feel too shocked to write much, that says a lot, b/c you're so verbal. Blew my mind for the first few days too.<BR/><BR/><B>JDR</B>, you said "all these people need is hope." They're waaay past that, I'm afraid... probably lost a generation or two before them. <BR/><BR/><B>Macon</B>, Thanks, and I think so too that this should be in a magazine or op-ed, but I don't know anyone in those circles. I've sent out a few emails but no responses. It sucks.<BR/><BR/><B>Big Man</B>, A lot of Baltimore residents look so weary and totally worn down from life in many parts of the city. America really is a different version of <I>The Tale of Two Cities</I>. You mentioned you're from New Orleans and it's crazy there too. A friend of mine who has relatives there said parts of it is like Shanty Town, USA and the poverty and culture of poverty is overwhelming. <BR/><BR/><B>Divajood</B>, thanks, and yes it's heartbreaking how the past nearly 8 years worsened the situation for so many people.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-29275275931004159192008-09-30T16:54:00.000-04:002008-09-30T16:54:00.000-04:00I saw the link on VSB and had to comment. As a pub...I saw the link on VSB and had to comment. As a public health professional who works for a large city STD clinic it makes me wonder... how many people who come through our doors are just like this? I don't get to counsel patients, since I'm a researcher/ glorified number cruncher. It never even occurred to me that people would put themselves in that kind of mortal jeopardy. But when you are desperately poor and have lost ALL hope, you really can just stop caring about everything... including yourself. <BR/><BR/>I just sent this link to all the STD counselors and the director of the clinic. Thank you for writing this.Blackberry Molasses/The Rebel Intellectualhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020299658046651294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-92036454297919227372008-09-30T16:38:00.000-04:002008-09-30T16:38:00.000-04:00wow. thats all i have to say about this. damn.wow. <BR/><BR/>thats all i have to say about this. <BR/><BR/>damn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-70481528038881622002008-09-30T15:49:00.000-04:002008-09-30T15:49:00.000-04:00i am a long time lurker but i love your blog. thi...i am a long time lurker but i love your blog. this article is crazysadmixedup and i am not sure what i think about it rationally. i just know that the image of people chasing hiv for love and money changes the way i see the world today. and i will never forget it. thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-47805513510959672852008-09-30T15:33:00.000-04:002008-09-30T15:33:00.000-04:00kit: Great post. But this is sick...and sad. I can...kit: Great post. But this is sick...and sad. I can't even write coherently about it.Mac Daddy Tribute Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01483912561779369669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-40113381963088537562008-09-30T06:35:00.000-04:002008-09-30T06:35:00.000-04:00mannnn..............there are no words to discribe...mannnn..............<BR/><BR/><BR/>there are no words to discribe this depressing shit, wow, these people need religion or something that gives them a purpose in life. The miserable have no other medicine but hope. And these people really need hope.JDRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12990505353724853260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-46828781004514960052008-09-29T22:17:00.000-04:002008-09-29T22:17:00.000-04:00Good work getting the word out on this, Kit, thank...Good work getting the word out on this, Kit, thank you. People need to know, and I hope some news or magazine outlet picks up on what you've sounded the alarm about here. Maybe you should mold it into an article and submit it to Rolling Stone, or any of many other places. Or even just an opinion column. These people seem like proverbial coalmine canaries. Things are getting more and more desperate for many more people.macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-64834633366897117322008-09-29T18:15:00.000-04:002008-09-29T18:15:00.000-04:00Deep questions KIT.This behavior is disturbing, bu...Deep questions KIT.<BR/><BR/>This behavior is disturbing, but not totally surprising. I think David Simon & Co. adequately showed just how hopeless things are in Baltimore and in most inner cities. Man, in New Orleans where I live things are just crazy. Death is just so commonplace. The future is so bleak for these cats. Man, I spend a lot of time praying and wondering where I can help.Big Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510881583909431416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-77452415899427912612008-09-29T11:30:00.000-04:002008-09-29T11:30:00.000-04:00This is heartbreaking. And when I read a post lik...This is heartbreaking. And when I read a post like this, where people are so poor and without hope that they would commit slow suicide for benefits and weigh it against the bailout of Wall Street I am enraged. The greed exhibited by our government since George Bush took office is more than an embarrassment. It is criminal. And we're poised to get even worse if McCain and Sarah Palin take office.<BR/><BR/>This is a great post. I found you off of Katie Schwartz's blog.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-21070478578922998052008-09-29T09:02:00.000-04:002008-09-29T09:02:00.000-04:00Rena, thanks, and yes, it is utterly mind-blowing....<B>Rena</B>, thanks, and yes, it is utterly mind-blowing.<BR/><BR/><B>ChangeSeeker</B>, thanks for visiting and the compliment re: my writing, and I really appreciate that and think your students will find it of interest. I'm not sure if you caught one of my last sentences re: catching HIV for benefits and selling a kidney, but I said "Well, it isn't [equivalent], it's worse." <BR/><BR/>Hell-on-earth worse.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-42472230890912588092008-09-29T08:26:00.000-04:002008-09-29T08:26:00.000-04:00"In some Third World nations, the poor will sell a...<I>"In some Third World nations, the poor will sell a kidney for cash. Prove to me that what I learned in Baltimore isn't the equivalent."</I><BR/><BR/>At least the kidney "donor" can stay alive. This post is very well written...and harrowing. I'm going send the link to the students in my Social Problems course. This is SO sad and SO the way things are now. Thanks for dropping by my blog and inviting me over here. You're right. I like it.changeseekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18350201531677548579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-59825433715618195042008-09-28T22:11:00.000-04:002008-09-28T22:11:00.000-04:00Like many of the other comments I am very sadden,s...Like many of the other comments I am very sadden,speechless,amazed,and heart-broken that people will purposely condemn themselves to a death sentence in the hopes of financial and emotional security.renahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938558862022775309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-89897955546948273152008-09-28T20:33:00.000-04:002008-09-28T20:33:00.000-04:00Katie, Stuck, Torrance, thanks for taking a moment...Katie, Stuck, Torrance, thanks for taking a moment to register your dismay over this situation. <BR/><BR/>Because it's so shocking and I haven't seen this story reported elsewhere, I won't upload another article or post before Tue or Wed at the earliest. I'd like as many people to read it as possible.<BR/><BR/><B>Here's a quick mention to the $700B welfare bailout check...</B> I said last Monday I expected it would go thru this past Friday. Enough people made enough noise to <I>delay it</I>, but Bush & Pirates will have the signatures needed early this week. They excel in stirring fears much like Naomi Klein describes in <I>The Shock Doctrine</I> to have their way. Should their be any further resistance, expect the unexpected, such as another extreme shock 'n awe event soon to distract us from this one. As I said in another post with the same title, this is <I>Black Autumn.</I> I truly, and sadly, believe this.Kit (Keep It Trill)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03027769872237001801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-47145638990300665982008-09-28T19:47:00.000-04:002008-09-28T19:47:00.000-04:00My jaw just dropped to the ground. I'm speechless....My jaw just dropped to the ground. I'm speechless. Thank God you posted this. <BR/><BR/>I'm shocked and so sad.Katie Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00502953107364624296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-67209084460121408832008-09-28T15:10:00.000-04:002008-09-28T15:10:00.000-04:00WOW!! I cannot believe (though I kind of can) that...WOW!! I cannot believe (though I kind of can) that situations for people would get so bad financially that they would feel like contracting the virus was the only way they could get financial assistance, the only way they could pay their rent...<BR/><BR/>Wow!a.eyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468719598280416330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325219138869173743.post-51095735553525060042008-09-28T10:51:00.000-04:002008-09-28T10:51:00.000-04:00man u should see what i see when i am in africa - ...man u should see what i see when i am in africa - shameful<BR/><BR/>and no comment on the fill in the blanks lolAll-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843040863123899426noreply@blogger.com