Released in 2003 The Gift is a film by Louise Hogarth which sets out to explore the bizarre phenomenon of intentionally contracting HIV, this act of seeking infection has been coined bugchasing and in this documentary we follow the stories of two such “bug chasers” who are in search of finding “the gift” of HIV infection.
As the film dives deeper into the issue it becomes clear that this desire some men possess to get infected is a worrying trend, one which at the time of filming had pushed the rate of new infections back into rapid rise. Many gay men who were negative for the virus can here be seen actively attending / hosting parties in search for the gift.
A key character in this film is a man called Doug, he is a bright, articulate young man who decided to move from his hometown in the Midwest to San Francisco in search of a gay community to belong to. Once there Doug became a bug chaser as he desperately wanted to feel a sense of belonging. However, once Doug tested positive he then became faced with the reality of living with such a deadly virus and all the negative side effects that come along with it.
In releasing this film it was Hogarth’s intention to raise awareness from within the gay community in the hopes that people would become smarter, practicing safe sex rather than foolishly seeking a virus which essentially could end up killing them.
Barebacking is now the in thing hiv is a manageable disease people think popping a pill is easy its not gay men are using more drugs and fucking with no thought about their sexual health all they think about is their next fuck some gay men atuaaly are in denial stop taking their medication other willing spread their gift to Bugchasers its a fetish why? stupidity or .self hatred, is a suicide attempt or just don’t care live life fast
They can keep on creating as many anti-virus medication as they wish but the virus will mutate and become even stronger. The whole issue of this comes down to their sexual proclivities.
Sticking your penis in a rectum is a sterile endeavor because life to cannot come from it, but eventually death will result from it. Ejaculating in a vagina produces life, hence it is natural.
These people are revolting against the order of the universe and this is directly due to their perverse lives. Of course they don’t want to hear it and are in rebellion. They have let their passions control them, when it is they who should’ve controlled it.
Thank god both these “bug chasing” idiots are dead.
This is seeking acceptance and special identity at it’s most extreme. A similar phenomenon happens within self help recovery groups from drug addiction whereby Hepatitis C infection is seen as a means to feel accepted and gain sympathy.
It can also mean and end to working, disability benefits and large doses of therapy and of course sympathy. I take it as an indication of the very acute sense of isolation many people feel, alienation, loneliness and an overwhelming need to belong, no matter the cost.
Hmmm. Wow. Baffling. This is ..almost…repulsive… to the memory of the dead and those that grieved over them for so many many years when there was no cure AT ALL. Back when “conversion” meant something else. Odd people. Hope you have good health insurance. Bravo to the men who called the “bugchasers” stupid.