Why A Campaign?
To respond differently to HIV! As early as 1988, studies found high rates of HIV among African American/Black men who have sex with men (MSM). Now, in 2007, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED! As you read this, the HIV epidemic is continuing to ravage Black MSM. The response to such devastating and heart wrenching news from Black gay and non-gay communities, as well as mainstream America has been shamefully inadequate.
This campaign is about challenging the belief that our lives don't matter and aren't worth saving. It exposes and confronts homophobia, which we see in the form of inaction, silence and even violence. It interrupts that silence with voices stentorian: Black gay men's lives matter!
To respond differently to HIV! As early as 1988, studies found high rates of HIV among African American/Black men who have sex with men (MSM). Now, in 2007, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED! As you read this, the HIV epidemic is continuing to ravage Black MSM. The response to such devastating and heart wrenching news from Black gay and non-gay communities, as well as mainstream America has been shamefully inadequate.
This campaign is about challenging the belief that our lives don't matter and aren't worth saving. It exposes and confronts homophobia, which we see in the form of inaction, silence and even violence. It interrupts that silence with voices stentorian: Black gay men's lives matter!
To value Black gay lives in Black communities.In recent years Black Gay men’s lives have been devalued in our own communities. There have been reports of shootings and stabbings of Black gay men in some US major cities. The campaign seeks to mobilize Black gay men and our allies in the community to end homophobia and the violence it spreads.
This campaign is a project of the New York State Black Gay Network and Boston's JRI Health. Funding has been provided by the NYC Department of Health. Thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Bureau for its support of the Boston Web Resources Page. Designed by Better World Advertising.
