“I envision healthcare in the future meaningfully addressing health disparities among bisexual and gay men while healthcare providers deliver culturally sensitive care that supports lifelong wellness.”

What is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and why does it matter?

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day of action focused on how communities and individuals can address and combat the rising domestic epidemic of HIV/AIDS among bisexual, gay, and other men who sleep with men [MSM]. On September 27th, communities come together, empower, and support individuals of their choice to engage in safer sex practices, routine HIV testing, and treatment in order to reduce new infections and the community viral load.

Bisexual and gay men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the United States.

While we make up an estimated 2% of the general population in the United States, we make up 55% of individuals living with HIV.

Nearly 1 in 7 bisexual and gay men living with HIV are unaware they have it (National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, 2016). Furthermore, African American bisexual and gay men account for more US HIV diagnoses than any other group with a projection that 1 in 2 AAMSM (African American Men who sleep with Men) in the United States will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime if current HIV trends persist (National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, 2016).

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day helps fight the stigma surrounding HIV by creating comfortable, confidential, and culturally responsible spaces where bisexual and gay men can engage in dialogue centered on HIV prevention and treatment options that best fit their individual lives.

It is a day where we are inspired to take charge of our own sexual health and encouraging our fellow brothers to take charge of theirs. National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day matters because it is another tool in our toolbox to help our local communities get to Zero new HIV infections and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

What message do you want to share about this day and what it means to you?

The conversation about HIV/AIDS is shifting. There are now more options than ever before available to prevention HIV infection and transmission. Use today to start the conversation with your family members and friends about condoms, medications that treat HIV, PrEP, routine HIV testing, and undetectable = untransmutable.

What you look forward to for the advancement of Gay Men’s Health?

I envision healthcare in the future meaningfully addressing health disparities among bisexual and gay men while healthcare providers deliver culturally sensitive care that supports lifelong wellness. A united community that is passionately committed to raising the standard of care among bisexual and gay men while encouraging open communication, restoring trust, and tackling social determinants of health. Patients and providers growing strong together, working together.