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Narrative
The HIV/AIDS crisis is not over. The rate of infection in the City is declining among gay and bisexual men over 30. But according to Dr. Monica Sweeney of the City's Health Department, the opposite is the case among young men, especially young Black and Latino men. In 2006, 90% of the new HIV diagnoses in New York City among adolescents were black and Latino men who have sex with men, or MSMs.
Actuality [SWEENEY]
WE USE THE TERM MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN INSTEAD OF GAY OR HOMOSEXUAL TO TRY TO TALK ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR AND NOT A LABEL
Narrative
In other words, in many Black and Latino communities, there's such a stigma associated with being gay that many men who have sex with men refuse to acknowledge that they're gay. Donald Powell of the group Gay Men of African Descent says cultural forces generate the stigma these young men face.
Actuality [POWELL]
IF THESE INDIVIDUALS GO BACK TO FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS THAT TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE AN ABOMINATION AND THAT THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF THE NORM, THAT'S THE WAY THEY WILL TREAT THEMSELVES AND THOSE THINGS WILL BECOME SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECIES FOR THEM.
Narrative
Dr. Sweeney of the City's Health Department said the rate of HIV infection among gay or bisexual men under 30 in Central and East Harlem has increased 115%. That's the most extreme spike in HIV diagnoses throughout the five boroughs. She believes that testing is key to stopping the rise.
Actuality [SWEENEY]
THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS HIV TESTING AN EFFECTIVE FORM OF PREVENTION. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WHO FIND OUT THEY'RE HIV-POSITIVE REDUCE THEIR RISKY BEHAVIORS BY APPROXIMATELY 50%.
Narrative
Dr. Sweeney says that one theory about why younger men seem to engage in more risky behavior is that they grew up after the introduction of anti-retroviral treatments.
Actuality [SWEENEY]
AS A RESULT, SOME YOUNG MSM FALSELY BELIEVE THAT HIV IS EASILY MANAGEABLE BY TAKING A FEW PILLS A DAY AND DOES NOT OTHERWISE NEGATIVELY IMPACT ONE'S LIFE. THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF LOSING CLOSE FRIENDS AS IN DECADES PAST.
Narrative
The City Health Department has been holding focus groups to develop a media campaign to increase awareness among young Black and Latino men. Some of these young men have already got the message, like David Tobo who works at Bronx Aids Services.
Actuality [TOBO]
I AM LATINO. MORE SPECIFICALLY I'M COLOMBIAN, FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN. I'M 22 YEARS OLD AND I AM GAY. THERE ARE MANY IDENTITIES THAT MAKE UP MY PERSONALITY, ALL OF WHICH I AM PROUD OF. BUT THE ONE I AM PROUD OF THE MOST TODAY IS THAT I AM HIV-NEGATIVE.
Narrative
The city hopes to launch its media campaign in the late spring or summer.
Ivan Dominguez, Columbia Radio News