Rolling Stone ran a story Feb. 6 about ‘Bug Chasers’ or ‘Gift Givers,’ people who are actively seeking to acquire HIV. While some in the GLBT community have acknowledged the practice does exist, others have suggested the article dangerously overstated the problem. The article claims 25 percent of new HIV cases are transmitted because of ‘Bug Chasers.’ Two key doctors in the story later told the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Newsweek and others that they were misquoted by reporter Gregory Freeman. GLAAD called the reporting ‘irresponsible.’ The reporter and RS editor stood by the story—which was picked up by conservative media pundits on cable TV. Even the White House spokesman was asked about the phenomenon (he said he never heard of it).
‘Bug-chasing’ sounds like a nasty urban legend to many—but there were men who were interviewed on the record for the RS story, and POZ magazine (run by gay men) had a controversial cover story on the trend about two years ago. It is a true occurrence—the debate is just how prevalent it is. Certainly the figure of 25% of new cases is probably way off—but the fact is that many gay men are still contracting the disease. Some might do it intentionally to feel more in the ‘club,’ while others have a suicidal mission. Debating the issue within the gay community is one thing—when the sensational cable outlets get ahold of it, they distort and sensationalize what is truly a sad psychological crisis for some.