Stay the Course, the Fight is Not Over! – – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Across the United States on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, there will be individuals and organizations participating in National Black HIV/Aids Awareness Day to promote HIV education, testing, community involvement and treatment in black communities. This year’s theme is “Stay the Course, the Fight is Not Over!”

Education

The statistics show there is a need for this day of awareness. In the United States, there were 972,813 individuals living with HIV, 42 percent of which are African American. Of the 40,040 newly diagnosed cases, 44 percent are African American. In 2016, there were 16,010 individuals living with HIV in San Francisco. Twelve percent of this population was African American. In the same year, there were 223 newly diagnosed HIV cases in San Francisco, 15 percent were African American individuals. Good news—there was a small percentage drop in newly diagnosed HIV cases between 2015 and 2016 in San Francisco.*

Testing

San Francisco Aids Foundation offers free, confidential HIV testing. You can find other testing sites in San Francisco here.  If you live outside of San Francisco, find a testing site near you.

 Community Involvement

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March & Vigil the Black Brothers Esteem, a prevention and support program of San Francisco AIDS Foundation has planned a march, which starts at 5:00 pm on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, and ends with the vigil at 6:00 pm at the African-American Arts and Cultural Center (726 Fulton Street).

Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition is planning an event on Wednesday, February 7 at 9:00 am based on a Facebook Event.

In honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Black Brothers Esteem (BBE) invite you to an open soirée celebrating black excellence and resilience in the gay community. The Royal Affair!  For a night of elegance, live entertainment, live music, food, and drinks. The event is entirely free and attendees are encouraged (but not required) to dress up and/ or wear a splash of purple. We will also be offering free on-site HIV testing. All attendees must be 21+

Friday, February 9, 2018, between 6:00 pm-9:00pm @ Mr. Smith’s, 34 Seventh Street, San Francisco

Treatment

HIV Treatment works! The CDC says more than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and that staying in care and engaged in treatment helps people stay healthy, protect others, and live healthier lives.

*based on data HIV Epidemiology San Francisco 2106 Annual Report & 2015 Annual Report