National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

This particular blog-post is not exclusively nudecentric or gaycentric. It is about a health issue that affects us all, regardless of ethnicity, lifestyle or gender attraction. 

Tomorrow, February 7, 2017, is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) here in the USA. February is the month designated for the celebration of African-American (Black) history in this country. It only makes sense that a day to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness within the U. S. Black communities be observed during the month when those same communities are focused on showcasing their many achievements and heroes.

At face value, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day isn’t an obvious candidate as an achievement of the Americans who are descendants of Africa. Upon reflection, though, it does represent a noteworthy accomplishment. The inception of NBHAAD is a direct result of grassroots movements within the Black community to combat the devastation that the HIV/AIDS pandemic has brought to the African-American community specifically and to the global community in general. It is the Black community standing tall and proud and accepting the responsibility to help end the alarming infection rates of HIV among its own.

The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is coordinated and sponsored by the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC), which is charged with providing guidance, direction and support to encourage more African-American involvement to ensure the success of NBHAAD. This year marks the seventeenth consecutive commemoration of NBHAAD.

There are four key components of this awareness campaign. Each is designed to build both individual and community strengths in fighting against HIV/AIDS. The four initiatives are as follows:

1. Get educated: know the facts about the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS
2. Get involved:  learn about opportunities available in community prevention efforts
3.  Get tested:  to know your own status
4.  Get treated:  to receive proper healthcare needed to live with HIV/AIDS.

Although I am not an African-American (I’m Greek), my husband is. As the spouse of a Black man, I believe it is my duty to support the love of my life, Aaron, and his work, as a healthcare provider (professional nurse), in reducing the incidents of HIV infection within his ethnic community in particular and in our larger community in general. HIV does not discriminate, only people do that.

For a number of years, I was a volunteer for a national organization in offering HIV/AIDS prevention education to the public. As a non-paid certified instructor trainer, I taught others how to conduct effective and engaging community education presentations. I currently volunteer one night a week at a local AIDS service organization. I feel very strongly in doing what I am able to help to end this pandemic. My philosophy is that we all are responsible for helping others whenever possible.

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride