Washington Blade - September 2, 2005
Craig Washington*

Phill Wilson, founding executive director of the Black AIDS Institute, expressed outrage at the lack of reaction to this astounding statistic in a column entitled, "Nearly 50 percent of black gay men may already be infected with HIV. Who gives a damn?"

While he cites the lack of any front-page coverage or calls to action from black and gay media or civil rights organizations, Wilson is most troubled by hearing no response from black gay men.

As a fellow poz black man, I share Wilson's anxiety. It springs from a love for our brothers in the life - a love that drives my continued search for answers that have eluded us for years.

I do not know if the sample in the study is completely accurate. But I do know that the infection rates of black gay men are not going down. This is just the latest of many CDC reports indicating that our prevention efforts are failing.

I doubt this study will move us to take to the streets, but will it move us to pause and reflect before we act, to back up before we try it again?

Sexual behavior is as comple as it is primal and cannot be policed by billboard messages or sex-negative directives. Black gay men need the support of viable and affirming communities to maintain their well-being. HIV prevention must be incorporated into a larger context of black gay community development and multi-issue activism.

The silence surrounding the release of the CDC study shows two crucial realities. One is that black men are not valued enough to merit any public alert regarding their condition. The other is the dearth of infrastructure and capacity among black gay and same gender loving men.

The majority of black heterosexuals make it clear that their HIV-related concerns are reserved for women and children. Many black gay men feel isolated and disconnected with no evidence of a legitimate black gay or same gender loving community among them.

We have not yet amassed the resources required to grow strong communities and a movement that can tackle a myriad of issues, including HIV.

Consider Atlanta, the so-called "Black Gay Mecca." There are no media outlets or bookstores owned and operated for and by openly gay black people. There is no history center to which I can refer a young man to see an exhibit on black LGBT history and learn about Essex Hemphill or Pat Hussein, and thereby learn about himself and his purpose.

With the exception of the new Urban Tea Party, we have no place outside of clubs, none of which are black owned, where we can commune in the daylight. Clubs are not equipped to serve as sites for our cultural enrichment and political autonomy.

We have very few places in chocolate cities across the country where we can enter and expect to see others like us. Such public facilities would enable us to expand our interconnection and reciprocal support far beyond our immediate sexual and social circles.

We need black queer cultural, political and media institutions to create a self-loving extended community that is ready to act. Surely we can secure enough black gay capital to fund our organizations and own the buildings they occupy. We have to convince those with the means that this vision is worth their investment.

This level of development will take years, perhaps decades. But we can determine what can be done now and in the months to come. It all comes down to the individual. I must take stock of my own commitments to my brothers in the life.

When I am about to do the do, will my desire for raw pleasure obliterate my resolve to not infect my partner? Does someone I clock on the street have to be cute for me to speak? How do I talk to brothers at the workshop who are hooking up 24/7? Do I lecture or do I listen?

It is the personal norms and values we choose to honor, as well as the revolution we build that will make the difference - if one can be made at all.

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*Craig Washington is a long-time HIV and gay rights advocate in Atlanta; he can be reached at info@craigwerks.com.

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