Your self-esteem is showing, sport.

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Oct 13, 2003

An article in the Australian journal Eureka Street sings the praises of Australia's "pragmatic" approach to the AIDS crisis. And no, "pragmatism" does not mean quarantining male flight attendants.

There was little prospect of gay men taking pride in their health while they were humiliated or bashed at school, vilified in the community or rejected by their families. Economic, legal and psychological factors conspired to make it more difficult for some to make healthy life choices. Australia's success in preventing the spread of AIDS relied on countering these impediments. Governments funded AIDS Councils to offer workshops promoting self-esteem within the gay community. Comprehensive needle and syringe exchange schemes were established. And one state legalised prostitution in brothels as a means of providing a safe working environment where condom use could be enforced and prostitutes could be trained in safe sex techniques and negotiation.

In case you were wondering, Eureka Street is published by the Australian Jesuits.