More on the clinical promise of tenofovir—the anti-retroviral drug made by Gilead Sciences Inc. and marketed as Viread that some gay men are using as a party drug to prevent HIV.
Until now, most HIV/AIDS research has focused on gay white men, disproportionately affected by the AIDS when it was discovered in the 1980s. However, a new study conducted by the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta is focusing exclusively on gay black men—certainly not as well organized as their white counterparts but disproportionately impacted by the disease.
This research complements studies now being undertaken in San Francisco and Boston and hopes to determine if a single-pill tenofovir regimen is safe for people who are HIV-negative. The trials have created a debate about gay sexuality within the black community and its attitude toward safe sex. "A lot of people in the black gay community are looking for love so they have sex because they think that means that that person loves them," says Duncan Teague, recruitment coordinator for the project and a member of ADODI Muse, the activist and performance ensemble. "The black gay community has become complacent about HIV and STDs as a whole."
The report from UK-based Reuters says researchers chose Atlanta because "it is considered by some the gay capital of black America" and "despite the large numbers of at-risk men, [the] lack of organization within the gay black community had made it harder to promote awareness and mobilize against AIDS, which in addition had killed some community leaders." More on the dynamics within Atlanta's black gay community in comments here.
One final note: Researchers are finally realizing that black men have been reluctant to participate in HIV/AIDS studies because of "the legacy of the notorious" 40-year-long Tuskegee experiment. True, but hopefully studies such as this and its counterparts in San Francisco and Boston can rewrite history.
Black Men in Focus in U.S. HIV Trial (Reuters)
More Black (Gay) Men and HIV:
The HIV Morning After Pill? (Rod 2.0) Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" (Rod 2.0) Is HIV A Gay Disease? (Keith Boykin) Primetime Reports the Black HIV Epidemic (After Elton) New Public Awareness Campaign (Rod 2.0) A Conversation with Keith Boykin (Rod 2.0) "Being a Gay Black Man" (Rod 2.0) Mo'Nique: "It's Still Considered Shameful" (Rod 2.0) Hill Harper on HIV/AIDS (Rod 2.0) Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV (Rod 2.0) "MLK Would Favor" Gay Rights (Rod 2.0) "Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" (Rod 2.0) Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? (Rod 2.0) The ABCs of Black HIV (Rod 2.0) New CDC Guidelines (Rod 2.0) "The Down Low Exposed" (Rod 2.0) "Fear Tactics" are Best Way to Reach the DL (Rod 2.0) Philly Anti-HIV Campaign Definitely Not a "Hit" (Rod 2.0) Un-Brotherly Love: Black vs Black and Gay (Rod 2.0) Suicide Tuesdays (Rod 2.0) Tina, Ann and Nick (Rod 2.0) (Virtual) Sex and the City (Rod 2.0) The New Face of Crystal Meth (Rod 2.0) Far-Right Not Interested in Disease (Rod 2.0) Far-Right Not Interested in Disease Pt 2 (Rod 2.0) "Family Values" Costs Lives in Africa (Rod 2.0)
The results of this study should be very interested but I hope people don't forget about all the other life threatening STDs out there like syphillis.
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 10 January 2007 at 14:32
Thanks much for this update. I live in Atlanta and had no idea that there was a study here. But I'm very interested, especially after hearing that gay black men are involved in the research.
You really make my day with this site, every day there is somethinmg new.
Posted by: Greg G | 10 January 2007 at 14:39
Thanks for a heads up on this, I had heard about it a couple of months ago, but, never really read about it.
I have to admit, I doubt if it would stop some of the reckless behaviuor thats out there. Good grief, they can't even get women to take a single pill not to get pregnant, so, how would it help men who the majority of can't seem to even control those urges minute to minute and will hop in the sack with any willing partner, no matter thier status. I think they should be spending money on a cure.
Posted by: Marvin-Lee | 10 January 2007 at 14:47
"The black gay community has become complacent about HIV and STDs as a whole."
Truer words have never been spoken. And that is also why this research and sites such as this are so needed and appreciated. Scientists are studying a drug that can possibly prevent HIV and most of the black gay blogs are obsessed with Jennifer Hudson vs Beyonce and Noah's Arc. Give me a break.
Posted by: carl | 10 January 2007 at 14:49
Marvin-Lee, Rod has been talking about this pill for months and even earlier this week.
And for the record many women--like white and asian--don't have a problem taking the pill. Statistically, it seems sistahs and latinas seem reluctant, and, also are reluctant to insist their male partners use protection. The same behavior is noticed with black and latin gay men, which is why our HIV rates are much higher. If it's one more tool to help us fight the disease, then fabulous.
Sorry if I seem upset. I'm just over all these people who only can make negative comments. That's why our community is in such bad shape.
Posted by: carl | 10 January 2007 at 15:08
Carl, my thoughts were not meant to offend you or anyone else.And, I've only found this board in the last week, so, I was unaware that the thread had been discussed.
However, its the truth from what I've read at least, the people of color will not take a pill, just like they won't use condoms, this is a fact that is evidenced by the rapid rate and spread of HIV and syphilis. And, I wonder if one of the underlying reasons is that many will think that its a ploy to infect them? We all know that black men have been subjected to some pretty nasty medical testing without being told of the consquences.
Sure it seems like a good idea, but, until people who have heard about the spread of sexual diseases wake up and get real about it, the pill will do one thing, lead to more sexual promiscuity and other issues as is also going on within the younger gay white males who think a pill is going to make unsafe sexual acts go away. Until black people take ownership of all the issues that affect the community, we will always be at the bottom of every quality of life issue out there.
Posted by: Marvin-Lee | 10 January 2007 at 18:40
Marvin-Lee, my apologies. You make some very good points, especially about ownership. That's one problem we as a people have. I'm sorry that I attacked you.
Posted by: carl | 10 January 2007 at 20:34
Marvin-Lee, you only discovered Rod 2.0 this week? Chile, how did you live? It's the new crack, the black gay CNN.
Posted by: Henry TW | 10 January 2007 at 20:44
Rod, you're on top of the news that counts! Kudos!
Posted by: JD | 11 January 2007 at 19:56