#btqbai

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National HIV Testing Day 2013: Take Ownership of Your Fight Against HIV

Tomorrow marks the annual National HIV Testing Day, June 27,2013, where organizations nation-wide combine forces and exude a heavy push of encouragement, motivation and empowerment around getting tested. National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) founded in 1995 was created to promote the importance of knowing your HIV status and taking proper measures to maintain healthy and informed pracitices.

HIV, (Human immunodeficiency virus) the virus that causes AIDS, (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is spread through contact with 5 major body fluids, Sperm, Pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk or blood through unprotected sex, sharing of contaminated needles and child birth.

It is important to get regular tests because of the window period (latency period). During this time the virus can be active within the body, unregulated because a person is unaware of their status, and not show up on a test. This is called a false-negative test result. During this time an infected person can pass the virus on to others. This occurrs because current testing devices look for HIV antibodies within the blood or saliva. Antibodies cannot infect a person, (thats why kissing does not put you at risk for contracting HIV). If the HIV antibodies are present however, that is a clear indicator of the presence of the virus. People often make the mistake of taking a test and upon receiving are negative test result, feel comfortable engaging in unprotected sex. According to the CDC, 20% of people infected with HIV are unaware of their status and account for over 50% of new HIV infections each year.

In observance of National HIV testing Day, go get tested and bring 3 people with you. We are all in this together and need to hold each other in high regards through loving and compassionate accountability. For opportunities to get involved, visit resources like The Black AIDS Institute, Greater Than AIDS, Testing Makes Us Stronger, and various others.

Find a testing Center: http://hivtest.cdc.gov/default.aspx

Another Great HHTD Resource: http://aids.gov/news-and-events/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day/

Together we can overcome anything.

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Beyond the Status Quo: A New Initiative of the Black AIDS Institute

We are Black. We are Gay. We are men. We deserve to exist.

“Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.” -James Baldwin

Beyond the Quo, a new initiative of the Black AIDS Institute, aspires to motivate Black gay men, regardless of their sero-status, to live informed, connected, and affirmed lifestyles. We heavily focus on supporting HIV infected Black Gay men to build their capacity to endure, conquer and celebrate each other through an online culture of transparency and authenticity. This initiative is designed to speak to the holistic aspects of Black Gay Men; providing information, not just HIV-related, but also in the areas of sexuality, policy, culture, science, spirituality & wellness, advocacy and community mobilization. The Black AIDS Instiute's 2013 goals are as follows... 

1) Full implementation of the Affordable Care Act2 Encouraging people living with HIV/AIDS to come out3) Developing initiatives that will build demand for treatment4) Biomedical approaches to be integrated with behavioral approaches,5) Retooling AIDS organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing AIDS and post health care environment.

 From 2006 to 2009, the annual number of Black MSM infected with HIV rose 20%, Among YAAMSM, ages 13-29, numbers rose more than 48%. According to a CDC-sponsored 21-city survey of Black MSM, 59% of those infected with HIV were unaware of their infection. The survey also showed that among MSM, Black MSM have fewer clinical visits and thus have fewer opportunities to access treatment and antiretroviral medication.  We must explore new approaches in increasing the demand for care and treatment to not only continue encouraging Black MSM to engage in frequent testing, but also increase adherence and peer support to ensure those actively accessing care reach viral suppression.  

Beyond the Quo, (BTQ) consist of articles, stories and insight generated and shared by Black Gay men, for Black Gay men about Black Gay men. You also have the opportunity to connect with peers through our online town hall discussion where we share opinions and feelings around various topics. Find out about local organization events and joining the Black AIDS Institute and its partners and take ownership of your opportunity to promote, motivate and inspire.

We are actively seeking individuals interested in joining the BTQ initiative. Send an email to our coordinator and he will contact you to start you on the process of joining.  

Rig Rush  National MSM Engagement Coordinator The Black AIDS Institute 

Explore our pages, share your feelings and join the experience.

For More Information regarding the Black AIDS Institute, Click Here.