Washington Blade - February 2, 2007
Zack Rosen

In the District, 85 percent of HIV cases are among blacks, according to the city's AIDS office. The official website of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day states that the "primary goal of NBHAAD is to motivate African Americans to get tested and know their HIV status; get educated about the transmission modes of HIV/AIDS; get involved in their local community; and get treated if they are currently living with HIV or are newly diagnosed."

Black Entertainment Television, in conjunction with the Kaiser Family Foundation, is airing a series of original programs and public service announcements in the days leading up to Feb. 7, and many local organizations have also planned events to fit in with the aims of the day.

The Whitman-Walker Clinic will hold an open house at its Max Robinson Center for residents to learn about the HIV/AIDS services that the center offers. Later in the day, the Clinic will hold a community reception at THEARC, also in Southeast, where the D.C. Chartered Health organization will present Whitman-Walker with a $150,000 check.

"We're trying to raise awareness of the problem of HIV in the black community and give people an opportunity to ask questions, learn more, get tested," says Kim Mills, communications director for Whitman-Walker.

Us Helping Us, a local organization dedicated to assisting black gay and bisexual men with HIV, is also planning a day of community outreach efforts, extending their office hours and passing out fliers at the Petworth Metro station to both encourage conversation about HIV and to raise awareness of the services offered at the group's headquarters.

ALTHOUGH AIDS IS a global health emergency that strikes regardless of gender, national origin or ethnicity, black America has reached a crisis point with the disease. In a city like D.C., with a large black population, the need for raised awareness becomes particularly pronounced.

"The black community is disproportionately affected," says Hearndon Davis, director of communications for the National Black Justice Coalition. "That warrants a direct, specialized campaign."

Besides the established tools of prevention, such as regular testing and safe sex, there are ideological changes that must come from within the black community, activists say.

"Stigma is very important to the spread of HIV," says Davis. "The stigma is of homosexuality being sinful. Within the black community it appears that we're more tied to religion and spirituality, so we're less inclined to stand up and be liberated."

Ken Pettigrew, senior manager of prevention programs for Us Helping Us, echoes Davis' sentiment.

"I think [decreased infection rates] are going to take a mobilization that includes the church and the schools," Pettigrew says. "These two places seem to shy away from it because there are morals involved, there's sex involved, there's judgment. We need to act up, we need to say that this is not acceptable."

BEING VOCAL IS not always easy for HIV-positive, black gay men who face a confluence of challenges. Roger Cobb, an HIV-positive retired PEPCO worker, has found that the existing stigma can often affect the way that infected individuals are treated.

"Some people isolate or disregard people for being HIV-positive," Cobb says. "Standing your ground, having confidence in yourself and who you are, your self worth plays a big part in how much you let outside influences from other people's opinion mean to you. "

The intersection of race, sexual orientation and HIV status can often create internal pressures that are not necessarily mirrored by the HIV experience among whites.

"[A gay, HIV-positive black man] has to recognize now that in addition to his race and sexual orientation he has to deal with discriminations due to his HIV status," Davis says. "You have the racial component and the sexual one - that's something so stressful that it would be worse than what normally goes on. You have three conflicts as opposed to one."

Cobb's own advice for black gay and bisexual men is in line with the message of NBHAAD.

"Living in D.C," he says, "it is necessary, it is extremely important that you disclose your status, get tested, confirm your results, take into account your sexual activities and recreation activities."

070202
WB070201

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .