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WATCH: Black Gay HIV/AIDS Agency Applauds Graphic PSA

More on the controversial HIV prevention television commercial produced by the New York City Dept. of Health, which warns that gay men who seroconvert are "over 28 times more likely to get anal cancer." To encourage condom use, the spot uses extremely graphic images and many HIV prevention experts have criticized the messaging as "scare tactics." GLAAD and Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) want the spot pulled because they fear it further stigmatizes people living with HIV/AIDS.

Not so, says Tokes Osubu, the executive director of Brooklyn-based Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD). "We're getting to the point where HIV is becoming the norm," Osubu told NBC New York. "It's okay, you can just take one pill and it will disappear. But that's not the reality. So we're very happy."

GMAD's position is at odds with many leading HIV/AIDS prevention groups. Their "praise" of the graphic prevention message is likely because Black gay/bisexual men are hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. New data from the Centers for Disease Control show almost one in three Black men who have sex with men are HIV positive. More than 60 percent are not aware of their HIV status. Black MSM HIV rates are even higher in some cities. See our new report, "More Black Gay and Bi Men Are HIV Positive; Most Unaware".

The spot is scheduled to run on cable and broadcast television over the next month. "This ad campaign is causing so much conversation, we have no intention of pulling it," Dr. Monica Sweeney, assistant commissioner for the city’s Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, told NBC New York.

Watch NBC 4's report and the PSA—some images are very graphic—AFTER THE JUMP ...

READ: "Celebrate Life" and Rally to "Stop the BS" in New York City

Undoubtedly, you've noticed the recent spate of violence and hate crimes targeting LGBT youth, especially those of color. Unfortunately, there has also been a number of recent suicides among LGBT youth. At least ten LGBT teens  committed suicide in the past six weeks. Two Black LGBT teens also took their own lives in three weeks. New York City-based Black gay youth activist Joseph Jefferson committed suicide on Oct. 23.

If you are in New York City, there will be two events over the next two days to raise awareness around anti-LGBT violence and LGBT youth suicide. On Thursday at 5PM in New York City's Washington Square Park , rally to "Stop the BS"—the bullying and suicides. The rally is being organized by a number of groups, including GMAD, GMHC, The Ali Forney Center, the Anti-Violence Project, the Audre Lorde Project and Queers for Economic Justice.

On Friday at 6PM at the LGBT Center on West 13th Street, "Celebrate Life - Stop the Madness." The service will celebrate the lives of those recently killed by anti-LGBT violence, remember LGBT youth who have taken their own lives, and offer support  for our youth. Organizers will remember Joseph Jefferson, Mosey Viaze, Aiyisha Hassan, Raymond Chase, Arthur Downey, Victoria Carmen White and Tyler Clementi. Please share the Facebook e-vite.

Finally: Joseph Jefferson's funeral service will be Sunday. Joseph's longtime friend and mentor Tony Shelton is collecting donations for the family to go toward the services. The Paypal link is HERE.

Anti-Gay Singer Buju Banton Jailed on Drug Conspiracy Charges

Anti-gay "murder music" singer Buju Banton has been jailed in Miami on federal drug conspiracy charges:

"Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine. Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac. While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Banton as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica's poor masses, critics say he's a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals. His song 'Boom Bye Bye', a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire."

In recent years, the singer's North American and European tour dates have routinely met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations. In October, San Francisco-based LGBT activists met with Banton and afterwards the reggae singer's anti-gay rhetoric appeared even more hardened: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'There is no end to the war between me and faggot'. The same night after I met with them [gay activists], they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me? I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."

Jamaican news coverage of Buju Banton's arrest has, predictably, attempted to link his legal problems to his anti-gay views.

Banton's recent Grammy nomination has been met with outrage. GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) have spearheaded an online petition drive against The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The petition is HERE.