BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NBHAAD). Since 1999, NBHAAD has provided an opportunity to address the disproportionate impact HIV continues to have in the Black community by increasing support for those living with HIV, reinforcing the scientific truth of U=U, and reducing the harmful stigma that prevents access to testing and treatment. While progress has been made in the fight to eradicate HIV, social determinants of health such as poverty, racism, inadequate healthcare, homophobia, and transphobia continue to exacerbate new HIV acquisitions among Black Americans and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

For over four decades, HIV has sought to divide and conquer—often in the name of respectability and righteousness while ignoring the humanity of those impacted. For years, this was the narrative. We can continue to shift this narrative by amplifying diverse stories of individuals through a Black queer lens that centers meaningful involvement of people living with HIV (MIPA) through HIV advocacy priorities such as PrEP, harm reduction, HIV decriminalization, mpox narratives, training, and advocacy.

We can rewrite the narrative and end the epidemic when our communities get educated, get tested, get involved, get treatment, and work collectively to remove the barriers that prevent every human being from flourishing. A future without HIV can only be a reality if we make it so.