February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – a day to help de-stigmatize HIV and increase HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in Black communities. Available statistics about rates of HIV infection within the Black community remind us why this day is critical.
More than 40% of people living with HIV in the United States are Black.
Black Americans account for 40% of new infections.
Eighty percent of new HIV infections within the Black community are gay and bisexual men.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 44% of Black trans women are living with HIV (It is difficult to accurately track HIV infection rates within the transgender community due to stigma and rejection faced by trans folks when seeking competent medical care).
At Tran Arrowsmith, advocating for the queer community is an integral part of who we are. Given the disproportionately high rates of HIV infection for those in the queer community, and the Black queer community in particular, serving those living with HIV is an important part of our practice. Below, we have compiled resources related to HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and discrimination.
Testing
Knowing your status is an essential element of stopping the spread of HIV. Click here for a free in-home HIV test or information about where to get tested in Arizona.
Prevention
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a pill that can help prevent new HIV infections. Check out Please PrEP Me to find competent health care providers that can assist with prescribing PrEP and information about available financial assistance.
Treatment
If you are living with HIV, treatment can help you live a long and healthy life and prevent you from transmitting the virus to others. Click here for information about competent health care providers in Arizona.
Living with HIV
Federal and state laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Arizonans with Disabilities Act, prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS by employers, health care providers, places of public accommodation, and state and local governments. If you are living with HIV and have experienced discrimination, there are several avenues for you to make a report:
If you’ve experienced discrimination based on your HIV status at a hospital, health clinic, dental office, social service agency, drug treatment center, or nursing home, you can make a report to the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services here.
If you’ve experienced discrimination in a place of public accommodation, you can make a report to the Department of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights here.
If you’ve experienced discrimination in employment, you can make a report to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission here.
If you’ve experienced discrimination in housing, you can make a report to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within the Department of Housing and Urban Development here.
Arizonans living with HIV can report discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodation to the Arizona Attorney General's office here. Complaints filed with the Attorney General's Office can be filed with the corresponding federal agency.
Our attorneys are available to assist if you believe you have experienced discrimination because of your HIV status.
Get Involved
Tran Arrowsmith is committed to supporting Aunt Rita’s Foundation and the AIDS Walk Arizona which raises money for Aunt Rita’s and its 14 partner agencies that are committed to ending HIV in Arizona. Check out our team page to make a contribution to the 2021 AIDS Walk Arizona (a virtual event) or learn how to get involved.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/factsheets/cdc-hiv-aa-508.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/gender/transgender/index.html