HIV-Aids - lawsuits: Sex and sensibility.

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A Toronto man has launched a 30 million dollar lawsuit against his wife for infecting him with the HIV virus. In the lawsuit Immigration Canada, Canadian Border Services Agency and the Zanzibar Tavern are also mentioned as responsible parties by the plaintiff.

Percy Williams (34) of Toronto met his Thai wife Suwalee Iamhkong (40) who worked as a prostitute and Go Go dancer in Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada in 1995 and soon found work as a stripper at the Zanzibar Tavern until 2004. 

Mr. William's accuses Immigration Canada and asks how can someone with HIV be admitted to Canada as an immigrant?

In 2005, media reports of a Federal Liberal fiasco whereby Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration under Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin  allowed exotic dancers to immigrate to Canada, though this provision was on the books during the Chretien years preceding this.   Why? Apparently there were not enough Canadian exotic dancers to fill the growing Canadian adult entertainment industry. 

The end result, Minister Judy Sgro was made the sacrificial lamb and forced to fall on the Liberal sword, for past policies implemented by her liberal party.  A disgraced Judy Sgro  did not return to cabinet until th 38th session of Parliament was dissolved.

Percy and Suwalee were married from 1997-2004, when at some time during the marriage Suwalee divulged she was HIV positive.

Though it is not clear if Percy Williams (21 years old at the time) knew of his wife's previous ailment and current occupation at the time of their marriage, if so, regardless of the fact, should blame rest with all parties, including Mr. Williams?

Health Canada has spent millions of dollars promoting safe sex, with the advent of HIV- Aids in the early 80's, safe sex campaigns were ramped up more than ever, even primary school children were made aware of these diseases. 

Casual sex aside, Health Clinics and Safe sex advocates nation wide have always mandated "If entering a relationship, both parties need to be tested beforehand for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) before entering a monogamous sexual relationship".

Many misconceptions about condoms is pregnancy protection, condoms main purpose is for the prevention of mainstream STD's such as gonorrhea and syphilis. 

Condoms are not foolproof, and may not offer full protection with those infected with HIV, Herpes or Genital warts. Open sores on a partner's body can transmit these diseases, when active. 

Today, condom marketing seems to be more about sensitivity and the pleasure principle, than disease prevention, which seems to take a back seat with consumers.

Though Mr. Williams was about 21 years old at the time of the marriage, youthful immortality with a motto of "Life is a Beer Commercial" attitude, is shared by many young men.  Perhaps this will be a wake up call for men and women.

Mr. William's accuses federal immigration authourities who allowed Ms. Iamhkong to immigrate to Canada without testing her for HIV-Aids may bring up a legitimate issue.  

In 2002, Immigration Canada mandated that HIV testing be performed on all immigrants, currently the age limit extends to all immigrants over the age of 15 years.  Previous to this 2002 mandate, anyone wishing to immigrate to Canada still have to have a medical checkup by a licenced physic an chosen by immigration officials in the immigrant's country of residence.

Perhaps a day late and a dollar short for Mr. Williams, but someone needs to share blame and responsibility, and sadly that also includes the victim.

Mr. Williams now undergoes expensive treatments to keep his disease in check, stating it his life's ambition is to see his ex wife deported. 

Charges were laid against Ms. Iamhkong, in 2007 Ms. Iamhkong was sentenced to two years less a day, a reduced sentence which will allow her lawyer to appeal any deportation order against her.

The question now rests, if Ms. Iamhkong is successful in her staying of the deportation order and allowed to live in Canada, what assurances will be given by Immigration Canada, the courts and Ms. Iamhkong to Canadians that she will not infect anyone else in future? 

For that matter, the same may rule of law may have to apply to Mr. Williams.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics will soon be here, reports by all agencies state increased global prostitution and drug activity will be a featured mainstay in Vancouver to sate a willing crowd from all over the world.

Again the issue of Safe Sex has never been clearer.