World AIDS Day: Do You Know Your Status?
Today is World AIDS Day-a day individuals and organizations are taking time to reflect on the devastating effects this epidemic has had on people across the globe.
As Black queer women, this absoultely affects our community. In 2009, African Americans made up only 14 percent of the U.S. population and accounted for more than 44 percent of new infections. Although lesbian or bisexual women are not at high risk of becoming infected with HIV, “it is argued that the widespread assumption that lesbians are a low-risk population increases some lesbians risk of HIV infection as they believe HIV is not something that they need to be concerned about.”
It is estimated that about 30% of transgender women have HIV. In a recent survey, a sample of nearly 6,500 transgender people reported a 2.6 percent rate of HIV infection, more than four times the rate of the general adult population. These rates were significantly higher for transgender people of color, with 25% of African American transgender participants reporting HIV infection.
While the statistics are daunting, there is hope.
Get tested and know your status. This doesn’t have to be our destiny.
Visit HIVTest.org to find a free testing site near you.
Read about safe sex practices here.
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