Plucky Magazine Forum State Senator Stacey Campfield..

In a recent interview on Sirius Radio, Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield addresses the HIV epidemic in this way, “My understanding is that it is virtually – not completely, but virtually – impossible to contract AIDS through heterosexual sex.”

Not only is Sen. Campfield’s science a little fuzzy, so is his history. “Most people recognize that HIV came from the homosexual community.  It was one guy screwing a monkey, if I recall correctly, and then having sex with men.  It was an airline pilot, if I recall.”

In reality, according to an expert of infectious disease, specialist Jacques Pepin, in his groundbreaking book The Origin of AIDS, the DNA evidence now shows that the first known case of monkey-to-human transmission of HIV occurred in Africa in the 1930™s, when a hunter killed and cut up a monkey for food. The story goes the monkey’s blood infected an open cut in the hunter, as there is no evidence of monkey to human sexual transmission. HIV then was transmitted among humans for decades in Africa, largely via unprotected heterosexual vaginal sex, which, contrary to Campfield’s claims, the CDC and all public health experts warn is “a high risk activity”. Today, around the globe, the majority of people with HIV are heterosexual and are infected via heterosexual sex.

This is not the first time Senator Campfield has made controversial remarks towards the LGBT community.  Senator Campfield is the author of the bill “Don’t Say Gay”, which bans discussion in schools of “sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.”  In another Sirius radio interview, Campfield attempts to justify his stance: “There are sexually confused children who could be pushed into a lifestyle that I don’t think is appropriate with them and it’s not for the norm for society, and they don’t know how they can get back from that. I think a lot of times these young teens and young children, they find it very hard on themselves and unfortunately some of them commit suicide.”

In an unrelated study, but with pertinent results, psychologist Brian Nosek of the University of Virginia, says, “Polling data, and social and political science research do show that prejudice is more common in those who hold right-wing ideals than those of other political persuasions.”  Perhaps Senator Campsfield should study his own experience with Nature vs. Nurture before judging and denigrating someone else’s.

Updated 01/31/12:  State Senator Stacey Campfield, in a Knoxville, TN restaurant, Bistro at the Bijou, was asked to leave for his recent comments about homosexuals, bullying, and HIV/AIDS.  The restaurant owner, Martha Boggs, is the one that barred the state senator, and said, “he’s gone from being stupid to dangerous.  It’s just my way of standing up to a bully.”  Ms. Boggs also noted that Mr. Campfield left quietly, with little to nothing to say.  Ironically, Bistro at the Bijou is located on South Gay Street.  Chalk one up for the gays!  (and allies!)