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For Black Women
- By Marc Loveless
- Published 06/29/2007
- Commentary & Opinion- Op-Ed
- Unrated
For Black Women
For some time I have been bothering my colleagues and others in the HIV/AIDS industry with a call for a new and more effective way in preventing the transmission of this disease to African-American Women, I have wondered aloud if all that can be done is being done. Could there be a scope of work that is needed that has not been addressed. The concern is an open question about whether we have an all hands on deck approach to prevent the spread of this virus. In this the 25th year since the first case was reported we find this disease too lose of a neighbor in the Black Community.
The Center for Decease and Control (CDC) reports that over 70% of all new cases are African -American Women. Also for every white male that is positive there are four Black men that are reported as HIV Positive. As these numbers impacted lives regularly they are only a part of the full picture of this disease in the African-American community when it is realized that the majority of people don't know their HIV status.
Not knowing your status is dangerous. The discussion of what to do once you receive and know your status is your own private discussion but, not knowing your status places you and your intimate partners in a hazardous situation.
With all the right things having been stated, the situation of preventing the spread of this disease is stagnate unless we are willing to address a major element in saving out communities and protecting African-American Women.
Considering all that we know we must in addition consider that the point of sexual transmission in over 90% of all cases according to the CDC and every other surveillance including the National Institutes of Health and local health reports conclude that the point of transmission is unprotected sex with a African-American male that is positive. This factor is concurrent with transmission to African-American men contracting the virus.
Further, sustaining the theory of sexual transmission from female to female or female to male has lacked documentation anywhere in the world. In essence the number one mode of sexual transmission of the HIV and AIDS among African-Americans is HIV positive African-American males. The public or private identity of these males is not relevant. However, it the intent is in stopping the spread the of this virus the conversation has to be factual and honest.
It is a legitimate concern that at some point men who have contracted the virus and then have sex with men who have sex with women and other men thus are placing both women and men at risk. This situation will remain circular due to the lack of opportunity of Women of Color to negotiate sex with men of color.
Thus the responsibility of interrupting this cycle is shifted to African-American and other gay men who have sex with men that have sex with women. Directly if the spread of this virus is to stop the men primarily African-American men, who have sex with men that have sex with women, must take responsibility of addressing their partners in a effective dialog to save African-American Women.
This is not a demand that anyone come out of the closes or identify themselves as anything. This is not about down-low or going uptown this is simply a call that African-American Gay men need to accept that we have a responsibility to save African-American Women by having a few discussions points with our sexual partners.
The fortunate part is that because we talk about the virus and sex openly in and within our relationships this discussion won't seem odd nor out of place. When encouraging this dialog it can include whether to use condoms or not and the results of the action you take. The other part of that discussion is what does your partner d when he's not with you and it he is with a women what does he do. This conversation could also include the value of knowing your status.
In addition we as African-American Gay Men need to develop a framework that we will include approaches and methods that will address that issues in a context that will be receptive and progressive. The first step will be to acknowledge progressive. The first step will be to acknowledge the beauty and adoration that we have toward and for African- American Women.
Black Gay Men would not on this earth it it were not for the caring of African-American Women . Whether or not this women is your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or play sister somewhere in your life, there is the heart and compassion of a African-American Woman. Taking the responsibility to stop the spread of this virus, is a testimony to those women.
We need to fee a deep sense of concern every time an African-American Women is diagnosed with AIDS or , HIV positive. We have a role in saving our communities and we need to fulfill out responsibility.
It must be acknowledged that, this undertaking may be done with a heavy heart at times. Many negative things have been directed to us as Gay Men have been very unfair, unnecessary, and unjust. When considering the historical context, it may be hard to care about prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS among African-American women. The hurt is real but, above all of this, we must care about the many women who are infected without fair choosing their fate. The call is for compassion for a community that has a strange way or expressing their appreciation for us. This role is legit mate the cause is sincere.
Let us begin to engage in duologue for life that will save lives. Les us find our role and meet our responsibility and begin healing that will benefit our entire community. Let us call upon God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever higher being if any to prepare us for this task. May we do our best to protect the lives and uplift our community.
The Center for Decease and Control (CDC) reports that over 70% of all new cases are African -American Women. Also for every white male that is positive there are four Black men that are reported as HIV Positive. As these numbers impacted lives regularly they are only a part of the full picture of this disease in the African-American community when it is realized that the majority of people don't know their HIV status.
Not knowing your status is dangerous. The discussion of what to do once you receive and know your status is your own private discussion but, not knowing your status places you and your intimate partners in a hazardous situation.
With all the right things having been stated, the situation of preventing the spread of this disease is stagnate unless we are willing to address a major element in saving out communities and protecting African-American Women.
Considering all that we know we must in addition consider that the point of sexual transmission in over 90% of all cases according to the CDC and every other surveillance including the National Institutes of Health and local health reports conclude that the point of transmission is unprotected sex with a African-American male that is positive. This factor is concurrent with transmission to African-American men contracting the virus.
Further, sustaining the theory of sexual transmission from female to female or female to male has lacked documentation anywhere in the world. In essence the number one mode of sexual transmission of the HIV and AIDS among African-Americans is HIV positive African-American males. The public or private identity of these males is not relevant. However, it the intent is in stopping the spread the of this virus the conversation has to be factual and honest.
It is a legitimate concern that at some point men who have contracted the virus and then have sex with men who have sex with women and other men thus are placing both women and men at risk. This situation will remain circular due to the lack of opportunity of Women of Color to negotiate sex with men of color.
Thus the responsibility of interrupting this cycle is shifted to African-American and other gay men who have sex with men that have sex with women. Directly if the spread of this virus is to stop the men primarily African-American men, who have sex with men that have sex with women, must take responsibility of addressing their partners in a effective dialog to save African-American Women.
This is not a demand that anyone come out of the closes or identify themselves as anything. This is not about down-low or going uptown this is simply a call that African-American Gay men need to accept that we have a responsibility to save African-American Women by having a few discussions points with our sexual partners.
The fortunate part is that because we talk about the virus and sex openly in and within our relationships this discussion won't seem odd nor out of place. When encouraging this dialog it can include whether to use condoms or not and the results of the action you take. The other part of that discussion is what does your partner d when he's not with you and it he is with a women what does he do. This conversation could also include the value of knowing your status.
In addition we as African-American Gay Men need to develop a framework that we will include approaches and methods that will address that issues in a context that will be receptive and progressive. The first step will be to acknowledge progressive. The first step will be to acknowledge the beauty and adoration that we have toward and for African- American Women.
Black Gay Men would not on this earth it it were not for the caring of African-American Women . Whether or not this women is your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or play sister somewhere in your life, there is the heart and compassion of a African-American Woman. Taking the responsibility to stop the spread of this virus, is a testimony to those women.
We need to fee a deep sense of concern every time an African-American Women is diagnosed with AIDS or , HIV positive. We have a role in saving our communities and we need to fulfill out responsibility.
It must be acknowledged that, this undertaking may be done with a heavy heart at times. Many negative things have been directed to us as Gay Men have been very unfair, unnecessary, and unjust. When considering the historical context, it may be hard to care about prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS among African-American women. The hurt is real but, above all of this, we must care about the many women who are infected without fair choosing their fate. The call is for compassion for a community that has a strange way or expressing their appreciation for us. This role is legit mate the cause is sincere.
Let us begin to engage in duologue for life that will save lives. Les us find our role and meet our responsibility and begin healing that will benefit our entire community. Let us call upon God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever higher being if any to prepare us for this task. May we do our best to protect the lives and uplift our community.
