NBJC Commemorates National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
CEO & Executive Director Dr. David Johns Calls for Continued Action to Address HIV/AIDS Disparities in Black LGBTQ+/SGL Communities
WASHINGTON – In commemoration of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, an annual effort to raise awareness about stopping HIV stigma while encouraging testing, prevention, and treatment, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“As we commemorate National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, NBJC reaffirms our commitment to raising awareness about the ongoing impact of HIV/AIDS in Black same-gender loving and bisexual communities. We celebrate the progress made while acknowledging the challenges remaining. We understand the urgent need to address the disproportionate impact this epidemic continues to have on Black men.
“According to the CDC, in 2022, nearly 47% of new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in the U.S. occurred in the South, with Black and Hispanic/Latin men making up a staggering 73% of those cases. These numbers speak to systemic health inequities leaving Black men particularly vulnerable. We must address these disparities by advocating for expanded access to care, increasing awareness, and removing barriers to treatment and prevention. We must ensure that stigma, discrimination, and economic barriers do not hinder people from receiving the life-saving care they need.
“The importance of fostering stigma-free conversations about HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and wellness cannot be overstated. We must encourage open dialogue about holistic approaches to health, including regular HIV testing, access to preventative measures like PrEP, and consistent treatment for those living with HIV. In Black Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+/Same-Gender Loving (GBTQ+/SGL) communities, breaking down the walls of stigma will lead to healthier outcomes, better access to resources, and a more substantial commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. You can find more resources in our Words Matter and NGMHAAD Toolkits.
“This work requires continued advocacy and engagement from all of us. NBJC will not rest until we experience a significant reduction in new HIV infections among Black, same-gender loving men and other marginalized communities. We must ensure that everyone knows their status, has access to the best preventative tools available, and can live their lives with dignity and without fear. We encourage Black people to reach out to your local health departments to ensure they have resources to fund PrEP and PEP access for our people. Black GBTQ+/SGL people predominantly live in Black communities, which means public health agencies in Black communities must receive more funding to address the epidemic.
“On this National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let us honor the lives impacted by this epidemic, reaffirm our commitment to equitable healthcare, and work tirelessly to reduce the racial and regional disparities that continue to exist. Together, we can move closer to a future where HIV is no longer a threat to the health and well-being of Black GBTQ+/SGL people.”