Three decades ago, extraordinary community and public health prevention efforts led to dramatic declines in new HIV infections among men who have sex with men. Yet infection rates are now increasing among young gay and bisexual men, particularly men of color. We must not allow another generation to be devastated by this disease. Together we can, and must, revitalize the passion and dedication that helped turn back the HIV epidemic among gay men during its darkest days.
Research and surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remind us that gay and bisexual men remain at the epicenter of the U.S. HIV epidemic. HIV prevention, education and testing for men who have sex with men remain top CDC priorities. As part of CDC’s High Impact Prevention approach to fighting HIV, we are working to ensure resources are directed to the activities that will have the greatest impact in reducing the toll among gay and bisexual men, and other populations at highest risk.
One of the most important things every gay and bisexual man can do to stop the spread of HIV is to get tested for the disease at least once a year. If you test negative, you’ll have peace of mind and can redouble your efforts to stay safe. And if you test positive, you can get the medical care and support that you need to keep healthy and protect others from infection. It’s a simple, quick way to reduce the toll of HIV, and can ultimately help us to turn the tide in the fight against AIDS in America.”
—Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, discussing the importance of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on September 27. Nearly 350,000 gay and bisexual men have succumbed to AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic.
Rock Star
The effort we put into HIV infection prevention cannot be overstated. I know young men who know better but are still falling for the “I am negative” line of some men who could care less that they are about to infect their unsuspecting partner. I have seen young men that I love and have warned sternly about going for the “Okey Dokey” when having sex toss caution to the wind and I know at least two boys who have been burned. Any young man reading this should be strongly cautioned to NOT BELIEVE any new sex partner that wants to go condom-less because they are most def not positive for HIV. This isn’t like a broken bone that will heal in 6 weeks. It’s your whole life that will be turned around. One last thought about those who have been unfortunate enough to become infected is that you can be re-infected with a more serious strain and there is no telling what transmogrification will take place in the near future, and perhaps cause you to lose the game of life far too early. Go with grace.
Freddie27
My birthday!
mcdirk
Dr. Kevin Fenton of the CDC is wonderful. He does amazing work!
Thank you also for the link to the GMHC facebook page. We keep it up to date and post important information in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
At GMHC we commemorate National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. We encourage you to get tested, and know your status.
http://gmhc.org/news-and-events/press-releases/gmhc-commemorates-national-gay-mens-hivaids-awareness-day
We hope you will check out our new Stress Around The Test campaign – you can see copies of one of the new cards in the link listed above.
Our testing facility at 224 West 29th Street, ground floor, is open five days a week to provide safe, anonymous testing.