Gay Blacks Left Wondering: Why Did Obama Leave Us Out of the AIDS Effort?

Over the next five years, the White House will spend $45 million on an AIDS awareness campaign, trying to convince Americans the cost of infection is too great to continue risky behavior. But while the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (whose director Jeff Crowley is openly gay) has reached out to various communities, gay black men are feeling left out. Notes the Washington Blade:

But some representatives, including Alexander Robinson, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, expressed concern that none of the 14 mainline African-American organizations selected as partners in the campaign have sufficient understanding of black gay and bisexual men.

Studies on populations at risk for HIV have long shown that black and white gay and bisexual men fall into the population groups most at risk for contracting HIV.

[…] Robinson said he agreed with the decision by organizers of the campaign, called Act Against AIDS, to target African Americans in its first phase this year. But he said he sees little indication so far that black gay and bisexual men would be included in the initial effort.

He said the 14 African-American groups selected as partners in the campaign — including the NAACP, 100 Black Men of America, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation — have distinguished records in representing the black community as a whole, but have no record of involvement with black gays.

“I question whether or not they even understand what it would mean to do outreach to African-American gay men,” Robinson said.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated