AIDS 2012: Pre-Conference Addresses Stigma and Rising HIV Rates Among Gay/Bi Men

I'll be filing reports from the 19th International AIDS Conference for EBONY, the Black AIDS Institute and Germany's Deutsche Welle.

My first report for the BAI: "Rising Infection Rates, Stigma and Discrimination Addressed at AIDS 2012 Pre-Conference on Men Having Sex with Men and Transgender People."

Men who have sex with men(MSM) remain at substantial risk for HIV infection in almost every nation across the globe. The situation is even more glaring in high–income nations such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Canada—where overall HIV trends are declining except among Black MSM. And in many nations, discrimination, stigma, and criminalization laws present significant barriers to creating an AIDS-free generation.

These were just a few of the themes at Stigma to Strength: Strategies for MSM, Transgender People and Allies in a Shifting AIDS Landscape, the day-long pre-conference to the 19^th International AIDS Conference sponsored by the The Global Forum on MSM & HIV. More than 800 delegates from 100-plus countries attended to discuss the health and human rights of MSM and transgender people, according to conference organizers. This was the International AIDS Conference’s fifth biennial pre-conference and the largest so far.

Perhaps the most compelling research was announced by Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Dr. Fenton reminded the audience that there has been a soaring number of seroconversions among Black American men who have sex with men—and new data show that “globally Black men who have sex with men are 15 times more likely to be HIV-positive.”

Read the full report HERE.

Comments

[Tiaj]

The rates are sad. Glad Ebony is letting you cover this.

[Reggieh]

Thanks for your great reporting, Rod. Bad news, but good to see you filing for various organizations - and especially Ebony!

[Colin William]

Colin and HHJ: We don't deny HIV/AIDS statistics or health facts at R20. That's one of the biggest problems w/ the Black community. Are you also going to dispute stats on obesity, high blood pressure, teen pregnancy, crime and education?

Colin: You did NOT read the condom study you cited. This study focused on HETEROSEXUALS. It also found: "Condom use sharply declines in all racial groups AFTER age 18" and "Black men [18-24] report that they use condoms in only 20.5 percent of their sexual encounters."

Among the biggest reasons why HIV/AIDS has ravaged our community is because Black folks have a long history of denial. Back in the 80s, we were told this was only a "white gay man's disease" and our community and churches refused to act. In the 90s we started saying that Magic Johnson was "cured". Now we're saying the Black AIDS Institute--which is run by Black folks--is conspiring to mislead our community. "They" would do this ... because?

Do not dispute any HIV/AIDS or health facts on this blog again. You will be banned. -RM

[elg]

HIV/AIDS has often been called (wrongly) a "white gay man's disease". That appears to be changing (or perhaps has already changed). Will HIV/AIDS now be called a "black gay man's disease" by some or many? And if so, what does this mean for black gay men?

Is this going to help or hurt black gay men going forward? Is Phill Wilson a kind of "black Larry Kramer"? Will black gay men look back, years from now, and see Mr. Wilson as a heroic figure or as someone who threw black gay men under the bus? These are some of my thoughts as I read the various reports now coming out making black gay men the "face" of HIV/AIDS infection in the United States.

Rod, your reporting is excellent as always.