During the AIDS epidemic (not a pandemic) of the 80's there was no treatment for HIV?AIDS. There was very little knowledge about the transmission of the virus which lead to massive prejudice of those contracted and groups suspected of spreading the virus. You may remember Ryan White; he received a blood transfusion and contracted AIDS. He was a focus of peoples ignorance and prejudice and was stopped from attending school and friends birthday parties. People freaked. People also freaked out about he gay community. People called the virus the gay disease--which we now know is absurd. The bath houses closed down in this chaotic environment of ignorance and ineptitude.
Today however, we know a great deal about the virus. It is not limited to gays at all. We can easily test for it, we have treatments for it that render the virus undetectable and unable to transmit from person to person with a zero count viral load. This is no reason to eliminate caution, but it is a reasonable time to lose much of the irrational fear of the disease and the assumption people have about who has it.
People are able to be cautious and safe while still maintaining healthy sexual relationships. STDs are still a serious health risk to all sexually active people who are not in a monogamous relationship, but that is their choice and with education about safe sexual practice, people are able to enjoy their sexual life with reasonable precautions. Absolute abstinence is the best way to not get sick--but that is not going to happen for almost anyone. Next to that--a monogamous relationship, but thats not desirable for everyone either. A good rule is: if you don't really like being around naked gay guys, a bath house in San Fran may not be for you. But other people may really like it.
