6th International AIDS Conference San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:344 (abstract no. Th.D.875)
Cole L, Cole D; University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

OBJECTIVE: Public agencies implementing AIDS curricula may encounter sharp resistance from conservative religious groups. We sought ways to most effectively deal with such challenges.

METHODOLOGY: Interviews with school administrators who had dealt with the problem, public health officials, and spokespersons for conservative religious groups, together with a study of curricular materials developed by religious bodies and by private and public agencies.

RESULTS: Great differences exist between and within particular religious communities. There is however, widespread and deep rejection of homosexuality. Positions by some who oppose public AIDS prevention education are deeply held and unlikely to be changed. Among service providers the fear of attack far exceeds its actual incidence. There is only limited trust that community advisory committees will be effective. Curricula are modified to avoid confrontation even when no confrontation is threatened. AIDS educators feel these threats acutely and may further modify an already conservative curriculum.

CONCLUSION: Service providers fail to seek the support of moderate church groups who support public instruction on AIDS prevention, thus leaving conservative voices as the only ones impacting on curricular development. Marshaling support from moderates would allow more effective programs of instruction. Sources of such support will be identified in the poster session. These include guidelines for advisory committees, means of contact with central church agencies, and illustrative curricula.

900620
ThD875

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