Black gay group targets HIV

Black gay group targets HIV
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
September 6, 2006

The National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition has announced a nationwide membership drive in an effort aimed at addressing the high rate of HIV infection among black gay men.

“We want to work with everyone who believes the lives of black gay men matter,” said the group’s chairmen, Rudy Carn. “We are especially committed to building a strong network of black gay men across this country who are advocates for their own lives.”

The group cited studies showing that black gay men in the United States have rates of HIV infection that are among the highest of any population in the world. A federal study in five of the country’s largest cities last year found that 46 percent of black gay men were HIV-positive.

“If we are to be successful, it will take all of us working together, not apart,” said longtime black gay leader Cornelius Baker. “Our community cannot afford to be silent and our nation cannot afford to fail in this effort.”

More information is at www.nbgmac.org.