The ones who love you will never
leave you.
Even if there are hundred reasons to give up, they will find one
reason to hold on.
~ Unknown
Friday, July 29, 2016
HEAR WHAT THIS GAY BLACK MAN WITH HIV HAD TO SAY TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
‘Do you know
who is most at risk? Young gay black men. Men like me. In fact – one in two gay
black men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime if current rates
continue’
Daniel D.
Driffin is the co-founder of Thrive SS, a non-profit organization that,
according to its Facebook page, ‘offers support, advocacy through community
mobilization and improved health equity to those living and THRIVING with HIV.’
He is also a
co-founder of Undetectables Atlanta, another HIV group for gay/bisexual men,
and the co-chair of the Task Force to End AIDS in Fulton County, Georgia.
He addressed
the conference yesterday afternoon. Below is a transcript of his speech, and
you can also watch it below.
‘Good
afternoon. I live in Atlanta, Georgia and I serve as the co-founder of Thrive
SS.
‘Together with
more than one million Americans, I am living with HIV. When the HIV/AIDS
epidemic first emerged in the 1980’s, I was not born yet. It was a mysterious
virus, then a deadly one too. It seemed to be picking off gay men one by one,
especially Black and Latino.
‘The community
spoke out so that policymakers would take notice. And while summoning their
voices, Hillary Clinton listened. She advocated for the increased funding for
prevention and research as first lady, and then worked to increase the funding
in the senate. She defended the Ryan White Care Act and expanded research in
testing and education.
‘As secretary
of state, Hillary helped to ensure that 6.7 million people around the world got
access to antiretroviral therapy. And she cracked down on the stigma around the
virus and helped lift the travel ban with the help of the congressional black
caucus, which presented people with HIV/AIDS from entering the country.
‘The number of
new HIV/AIDS diagnoses is on the decline in the US by nearly 20% over the last
decade for certain populations.
‘We know how to
prevent the virus now. We know how to diagnose the virus now. We know how to
treat it and we know how to suppress it. We have learned all about it within my
lifetime. But still, there are many living with HIV.
‘And do you
know who is most at risk? Young gay black men. Men like me. In fact —one in two
gay black men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime if current rates
continue. If we have enough data, I’m sure black transgender women are more at
risk too.
‘What can we do
to fight HIV/AIDS today? We invest in research and education; expand treatment
and prevention. And we elect Hillary Clinton.
‘With Hillary
Clinton as our president, I believe that we can meet our goals of an AIDS free
generation. As an organizer, as a black man, as a gay man, and as a man living
with HIV, I ask you to go get tested—then go and vote. Thank you.’
Earlier this
year, the Centre
for Disease Control issued findings of an analysis concluding that if
current rates persist, half of all black man who have sex with men will test
HIV positive in their lifetime, and one quarter of Latino gay men.
Poz
magazine says that the selection of Driffin as a speaker came
after HIV activists met with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in May to
discuss issues around HIV prevention and treatment.
Activists had
previously criticized Clinton for her praise of former First Lady, Nancy Reagan
at the time of her death. Clinton had applauded Reagan for her ‘low-key
advocacy’ and for helping to start a conversation around AIDS. Clinton later
apologized.
‘We have to
implement better policies around testing and access to care’
In a statement
to GSN, Driffin said, ‘My life is changed!’ when asked how the experience of
speaking at the conference had been.
He said he had
been nervous for ‘1.5 seconds when the TelePrompTer didn’t move,’ at the
beginning of his speech, ‘but I paused and it caught up.
‘I had the
chance to speak from my heart about the lives of LGBTQQI people. We have
everything we need to end HIV infections in the United States with increased access
to ARVs for people living with HIV and PrEP for people at risk for HIV.
‘It is not
OK to live in this country and black gay men face a 50% chance of
contracting HIV in their lifetime. We have to implement better policies around
testing and access to care for those most affected.’
SOURCE: GAY STAR NEWS
Thursday, July 28, 2016
THE CASE AGAINST US...
Naysayers are a
strong lot....
They tell us we don't work.
"They"
say it is a waste of time.
They feel like
they are begging.
It never goes
anywhere...
Many of us do not
seem interested.
I get it....it
is hard being us.
What if I told
you that your life isn't a
waste of time.
Do you know that the essence of homosexual
revolutionary activity is to destroy that which destroys us?
To rebuild
within our community for us by us?
The truth is
that it’s just easier for mainstream society to accept
The notion that everyone
is straight.
The fact that homosexual don't fit conventional
expectations
And we are seen as making a conscious choice not to be on anyone’s
team.
I say live your own style,
Defy common labels,
That try to confine you, me and us.
JANE FONDA, EVA LONGORIA, ALAN CUMMING APPEAR IN HILLARY CLINTO MUSIC VIDEO
The Democrats
are stepping up the fight ahead of the Presidential election… by releasing a
music video.
Hillary Clinton
became the party’s official Presidential nominee last night, launching the
final stretch of the Presidential election – as both Trump and Clinton have now
been confirmed as candidates.
To celebrate
the moment, the Democratic National Convention Committee has surprisingly
released a music video.
The party
released an a cappella cover of Rachel Platten’s Fight Song, and it’s
packed with heavyweight Hollywood and Broadway stars.
It features a
number of musical and theatrical legends (Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel,
Ellen Greene and Alan Cumming) as well as a number of big acting names (Eva
Longoria, Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson).
A release
explained: “Tonight, the Democratic National Convention Committee released a
new video, ‘Fight Song’, which aired for the first time at the Democratic
National Convention.
“‘Fight Song’,
produced by Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Cohen and Mike Thompkins, features actors,
musicians and supporters singing their support for Hillary Clinton to Rachel
Platten’s Fight Song. The a cappella video is inspired by the Pitch Perfect
films, which are produced by Banks.
“Fight Song has
been energising Clinton supporters at events around the country throughout the
campaign, and reinforces Clinton’s proven record of fighting for all Americans
and her commitment to tackling the big challenges we face as a country as
president.
The
participants include Aisha Tyler, Alan Cumming, America Ferrera, Ben
Platt, Billy Porter, Chrissie Fit, Connie Britton, Elizabeth Banks, Ellen
Greene, Esther Dean, Eva Longoria, Garrett Clayton, Hana Mae Lee, Ian
Somerholder, Idina Menzel, Jaime King, Jane Fonda, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John
Michael Higgens, Josh Lucas, Julie Bowen, Kathy Najimy, Kelly Jackle, Kristin Chenoweth,
Mandy Moore, Mary McCormack, Mary-Louise Parker, Mike Thompkins, Nikki Read,
Rachel Platten, Renee Fleming, Rob Reiner, Shelley Regner, Sia, TR Knight.
SOURCE: PINK NEWS
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
JUS' E-MAIL ME: SHOULD I ASK MY FORMER TEACHER OUT?
I graduated
high school this year and I have kept a close relationship with my teacher. He
is 15 years older than me and single. Since I was in grade 8, we would stay
after school and talk for a couple of hours. He is always joking with me and
giving me advice. He does not act this way with any other student. He had told
me before that I was very attractive. My fellow classmates used to always say
we looked cute because he does not look his age.
Sometimes we would stay after
school to watch plays and he would talk to me instead of his other teacher
friends. After school, if he knew I had to stay for some other reason, he would
keep the door open in his office for me to walk in and talk. Sometimes he would
personally ask to see me after school, so we could catch up. Do you think he
has something for me? And should I make a move now that I am get older? I have
never felt this towards any other boy, until now.
Have you ever had to deal with this?
What are your thought?
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