> if HIV is spread through sexual contact, why was it most prevalent in gay men of a particular lifestyle in a particular place?
You've answered your own question. Because they were a community of people in sexual contact with each other, and/or sharing needles.
Please consider that, whether or you are homophobic, you are repeating homophobic talking points. The idea that HIV was caused by "lifestyle" rather than a virus was invented to discredit the idea that it was an epidemic requiring urgent medical intervention. It's rhetoric which was invented to frame a disease as a moral failing in order to deny or delay the development of lifesaving care to a population some would prefer to see suffer and die (as well as deny or delay interventions like educating people and distributing protection). This is "gay plague" stuff. Frankly, I can understand why the other commenter took the impression you are homophobic.
Sincere congratulations to your sister. I hope the wedding is lovely.
You've answered your own question. Because they were a community of people in sexual contact with each other, and/or sharing needles.
Please consider that, whether or you are homophobic, you are repeating homophobic talking points. The idea that HIV was caused by "lifestyle" rather than a virus was invented to discredit the idea that it was an epidemic requiring urgent medical intervention. It's rhetoric which was invented to frame a disease as a moral failing in order to deny or delay the development of lifesaving care to a population some would prefer to see suffer and die (as well as deny or delay interventions like educating people and distributing protection). This is "gay plague" stuff. Frankly, I can understand why the other commenter took the impression you are homophobic.
Sincere congratulations to your sister. I hope the wedding is lovely.