NBJC

On this 29th Anniversary of World AIDS Day (#WAD2017), the National Black Justice Coalition pauses to honor those that have died from HIV/AIDS, support those that presently live with the disease, and call all people to action to prioritize ending the spread of HIV/AIDS in our world. The universal theme for this year is: “Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships.”   As the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and same gender loving (SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS , this day serves as an urgent call to rededicate our families and communities to the fight to eradicate HIV/AIDS and the disproportionate impact of this disease on Black Americans. NBJC is honored to join this movement to bring awareness and hope to our communities through empowerment. We hope that on this day the seeds are planted for you and your network of family and friends to take up the cause and make ending HIV/AIDS a priority in your lives. In order to stay true to the theme of this year and inspire a collective response, NBJC is honored to present this #WAD2017 e-blast with important information to get you involved with the local, national and global fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

KNOW THE FACTS

Worldwide, nearly 17 million people are living with HIV and do not know. In the U.S., Black people still account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses, those living with HIV and those diagnosed with AIDS, compared to other races/ethnicities. Between 2005-2014, the number of HIV diagnoses among Black cisgender women fell 42%, though it is still high compared to other cisgender women of other races/ethnicities. From the limited data we have on the transgender population in the US, half of transgender people diagnosed with HIV identified as Black. Gay and bisexual men account for a majority of new HIV diagnoses among Black Americans. The highest percentage of HIV diagnoses in the South, Northeast, and Midwest is among Black Americans. The South lags behind other regions in most HIV prevention and care indicators.   NOTE: Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Read the Full Op-Ed The End of HIV/AIDS Depends On Us

To honor #WAD2017, Isaiah Wilson, NBJC’s Director of Public Policy, penned a passionate call to action for Black America to take up the fight to end HIV/AIDS in the Black community. As a person living with HIV who is working to expand the movement for justice for all Black people, including Black LGBTQ/SGL people, Isaiah’s words are a timely reminder of the progress we have made and the work still required to end the epidemic.

GET INVOLVED ON #WAD2017

Here are some ways to celebrate  World AIDS Day 2017  by taking action  to fight against the HIV epidemic:   Learn more about HIV prevention and testing atcdc.gov/ActAgainstAIDS #WAD2017 #ActAgainstAIDS   Get tested for HIV every six (6) months. Need help finding somewhere to get tested? Visit www.hivtest.org to find testing services in your local community.   If you are HIV positive, find a provider you can trust and develop a treatment plan in order to take control of your health. Click here to find a list of providers in your community.   If you need insurance, now is the time – find your local Ryan White program at https://findhivcare.hrsa.gov/index.html and see if you qualify for additional financial help to #GetCovered #WAD2017   Start Talking. Stop HIV. is a campaign that seeks to reduce HIV infections among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men by encouraging open discussion between sex partners and friends about a range of HIV prevention strategies. Learn moreHERE.   If you do not have health insurance, Enroll Today! The last day to enroll is Dec. 15th – don’t get stuck in line or miss your chance. VisitHealthCare.gov today to get started and give yourself the peace of mind you need #EnrollByDec15 #GetCovered

NBJC ON THE MOVE

Join NBJC and our partners in Washington, DC on this #WAD2017 at two important community events:

NBJC has joined the Black AIDS Institute (BAI) and 14 other organizational partners to support a 17-city national tour to educate and mobilize Black Americans to get insured. The National Black Healthcare Access Tour makes a stop in Washington, D.C. on World AIDS Day, December 1. Read the press release here . Contact LestianM@blackaids.org for more info.   Register HERE !

In honor of #WAD2017, join NBJC at the World AIDS Day Artist Showcase. The showcase features local artists who have come together, in solidarity, to show how the epidemic has impacted our communities and the importance of ending the epidemic in our lifetime. NBJC is honored to lend support to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for this event and will be onsite sharing important information about efforts to end HIV/AIDS in our nation’s capital.    Join us from 6-7pm for a meet and greet cocktail reception followed by the showcase from 7-9pm. Admission is FREE with the donation of a new toy to benefit outreach efforts of Heart to Hand, Inc. or a canned food item to benefit outreach efforts of Damien Ministries.     RSVP HERE !