“When information about HIV and sex education is approached with inaccuracy and shame,’ writes sex educator Jamanii Brown, “LGBTQ+ youth face violence, unhealthy relationships, bullying, and discrimination.”
Twenty-five years ago, my pregnant mother received her HIV diagnosis when a nurse callously told her, “You have AIDS and you’re going to die.” She was devastated and wasn’t even aware that women could contract the virus. Little has improved in terms of education and resources available for youth of color. Throughout my life I have encountered the same misinformation, ignorance, and stigma my mom faced in 1994.
That’s why National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day–a day to educate the public about the impact of HIV on young people and elevate the work of youth activists in the fight for HIV prevention, treatment, and care–is so important to me. Read More
