HOUSTON — For the last 25 years, Feb. 7 has been dubbed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to highlight how HIV disproportionately impacts the Black community.
"Here in Harris County, Black people make up almost 50% OF new HIV infections and almost 50% of new diagnoses," Ian Haddock, Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly, said.
Haddock and his team at The Normal Anomaly, a Houston-based organization, are working to overcome barriers and end stigma in the Black LGBTQ+ community.
"When we think about National Black HIV Awareness Day, it really is centering our Blackness, and we can't center that Blackness without thinking about the queerness because that’s such an integral part of ending the HIV epidemic and the awareness of HIV and AIDS," Haddock said.
More than 40% of new HIV infections nationwide are directly linked to Black people, according to the CDC. Specifically, Black men engaging in same-sex practices.
"Ending the epidemic will not be through appeal, appeal cannot create will, the only thing that creates will are skills, are community empowerment, community mobilization, compassion, love and empathy," Haddock said.
While HIV is no longer a death sentence with the advent of preventive medicines and antiviral treatments, these community leaders said there's still work to be done to reach those with limited access to care.
"You are worthy to receive care, you are worthy to have equal care and you are worthy to know that your story matters," Jordan Edwards, Program Director with The Normal Anomaly, said.