Los Angeles Marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

On Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, cities, organizations, businesses and individuals around America observed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is a community-mobilization initiative targeting Blacks across the African diaspora that speaks to four focal points, reflected in the tagline: Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Involved and Get Treated.

Save The Date!

On May 20, 2014, the Black AIDS Institute's Heroes in the Struggle Gala Reception and Awards Presentation will take place at the Director's Guild in Los Angeles.

A Future Gift of Love: The HOPE Act

Each week at my church, a lady in a wide-brimmed hat stands during announcements to urge parishioners to "remember the blood drive!" She earnestly asks for volunteers to donate a precious, lifesaving gift. Each time she delivers her appeal, my heart sinks as the stigma of HIV rears its ugly head, and I sit silently in my pew knowing that as a person living with HIV, I am prohibited from donating blood or an organ to anyone. Not even to a family member.

Sex, Lies and HIV: When What You Don't Tell Your Partner Is a Crime, Part 3

The third in a series of stories on HIV and criminalization.

In 1986, scientists had just christened the virus that causes AIDS, the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. The government had already logged more than 16,000 AIDS cases and 8,000 deaths since the American epidemic began, mostly among gay men and drug users. At the time, not a single drug was approved to target HIV, and the diagnosis was, for many, a death warrant.

Fourth-Generation HIV Tests Can Reduce Transmission Over Time

It's no secret that treatment for HIV/AIDS has improved over the years, and PLWHA are living longer and healthier lives. But treatment isn't the only weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS that has gotten better with time. HIV testing has also improved dramatically, with the current generation of HIV tests helping to identify the presence of the disease sooner and, by doing so, reducing the transmission of HIV.