Over the last two years the Greater Than AIDS organization has aggressively been promoting not only HIV testing, but also prevention and awareness amongst people of color as well. They’ve released countless television, print, billboard and online public service advertisements featuring everyone from everyday people to high profile celebrities.Excerpt from their website, GreatThan.Org:
The Greater Than AIDS movement responds to the AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular the severe and disproportionate epidemic among Black Americans. Through a national media campaign and community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to elevate the public’s knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.Greater Than AIDS is about the power of individuals acting together to achieve a greater goal – in this case, reducing the spread of HIV. By stressing unity, hope and empowerment, Greater Than AIDS inspires each and every one of us – in our relationships, families and communities – to do our part to stem HIV/AIDS.
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While the organization has highlighted testimonials from a wide range of Black and Latino men and women, the most “home hitting” ads for me featured MASCULINE MEN OF COLOR (both HIV positive and negative) briefly telling their stories of how HIV and being Gay has affected their lives.These videos demonstrate not only that, for many masculine gay men, there is no definitive way to tell they are Gay and/or HIV positive…they also show that we all have very different stories, paths and complicated lives to lead.
CHRIS
25 Years Old
Brooklyn, NY Freelance Game Developer HIV Negative |
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ALEJANDRO
Stone Mountain, GA
Retired U.S. Army HIV Positive |
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Nick Delmacy
Nick is a founder, editor and the pop culture expert at Cypher Avenue. Serving as the designer and webmaster of the site, he is the architect of The Cypher Avenue Matrix.
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I can really respect andre’s words on this project because a lot of young men that I have known just believe getting tested is enough. I’ve had guys I’ve known promise to use condoms when they got with their mates, then come back and tell me they just plan to get tested regularly and there is no other concern or talk about protection again. I do know how they get the notion that only testing will help or protect them solely.
in my personal experience, 95% of the men I’ve met who were HIV positive told me they were infected by their relationship partner (who previously tested negative). So that says a lot.
Damn Nick! From what you just said, that DOES say a lot! It basically tells me (and warns me!) that there simply are some men who, no matter how “good” they may seem to be in terms of giving (or receiving) gifts, sex, and maybe(!) some love to a person, they are STILL willing to go out to cheat and not respect the “relationship” they are in! I know that as men, sex is “supposed to be this thing that we just have to have”. But how can I possibly be able to regularly date someone (I’m not dating or seeing anyone right now, BTW) and always have to wonder, that should I really get to like a muthafucka and want to spend more time with him (which means that our relationship would have to be honest and tight: there is to be no fucking around with other guys!), always made to feel that I’m going to have issues of trust? I’m all for protecting myself (sexually) until I get to really KNOW the person I’m dating, fucking with, or is simply a FWB (friend with benefits). B UT damn! I would like to hope that any significant relationship will eventually become long-term; one that is filled with love, admiration, respect, TRUST and, of course, filled with MORE love. I would like to hope that after a period of time (a few years, maybe more) – and a CONSISTENT clean bill of health (and yes, I’m aware that HIV effects might take up to 10 or more years to appear, if at all — unless that info has changed recently), that I’d be able to shed the condom use. Seriously. Honestly, knowing that ANY sexual activity (outside of masturbation) is risky, it often scares me to want to have casual sex. You just never know! And now, to read here – as I have in other media on this subject recently (since I’m on the “available” list) – that muthafuckas, especially perhaps, BLACK and other ethnic men STILL don’t want to use condoms, and still refuse to get tested REGULARLY (THERE ARE FREE CLINICS THAT WILL TEST, GUYS!), and still, when in a relationship, are willing to put their “significant other” at a health risk…well, that is nothing more than APPALLING, CARELESS AND SHAMEFUL! And such men consider themselves “intelligent”. GTFOOH! I’m keeping it wrapped! Now, Nick, Octy: Can you guys find the FINAL determining answer on the risk of getting HIV through ORAL sex… the most often sexual activity conducted between two men? I hear that there is low risk; I read that the risk is “moderate”; I read that it depends whether or not one of the parties is HIV positive (and is honest to admit it up front). I’m confused! So many contradictory or ambiguous answers on this particular activity! We need this cleared up because, as I mentioned in a previous posting here, and as most of us are all-to-well aware, hardly anyone performs oral sex with a condom.
I think what that has taught me is that you should practice safe sex even when in a relationship. This is how many people who are married to or dating a person that is HIV positive still remain negative. Safe Sex. As for your second question, all I know is that you mainly have to make sure you have no cuts and/or open sores inside your mouth while performing oral sex. I have been told that something as simple as brushing your teeth before the activity can cause small cuts and increase your risk of transmission.