HOW FAR TO GAY - THE POLITICS OF HIV IN LEARNING-DISABILITY

This paper examines work in sexual health and HIV prevention in servic es for people with learning disabilities from a political stance assoc iated with the rehomosexualisation of AIDS in Britain. Arguments are m ade for the re-homosexualisation of AIDS in services for people with l earning disabilities, based on evidence of where HIV risk lies in rela tion to men with learning disabilities who have sex with men. This pro vides an opportunity to critically review approaches and responses to HIV risk assessment and risk management in services for people with le arning disabilities, with reference to the assumptions which underpin practice and issues of sexual identity. The case is made for a more ra dical sexual politics in learning disability to help combat HIV and to provide more realistic approaches to service commissioning and safer sex education. Pointers for service development and Key areas where th e re-homosexualisation of AIDS can inform practice and resource develo pment are also provided.