I appreciate seeing The Advocate speak to the issue of HIV infection in gay men despite the fact that we should know better ["A Midlife HIV Crisis.

I appreciate seeing The Advocate speak to the issue of HIV infection in gay men despite the fact that we should know better ["A Midlife HIV Crisis," December 4] The article touches upon many reasons gay men may still be giving and getting the disease. A deeper reason, however, is not mentioned: We gay men ne to deal with our shame at being gay. Shame is "I am in some way bad, defective, wrong." Two of the natural defense against shame are "attack self" and "attack others." We ne to name the shame, acknowledge the defense and persuade on to health and wholeness. If not, we will withhold hurting or killing ourselves and others.

Mark A. Crosby Salem, Mass.

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