This Issue

So today marks the next to the last day of AIDS 2016. We've had a remarkable week so far. The science has been powerful; and the community response has been inspirational. There have been encouraging comments from heads of State, dignitaries and celebrities. Earlier today, I was having a conversation with Michael Ighodaro where he shared with me the need for Black Men who have sex with men in the US to strengthen our solidarity with MSM in Africa. "Whenever there is a bad bill in Nigeria or Uganda or some other part of Africa, we hear from the White gay organizations in the US, but not the Black ones."

Today PEPFAR and the Elton John Foundation announced a new investment in men who have sex with men in developing countries. PEPFAR announced a new initiative targeting Key Populations at the high-level meeting in New York City last month. This new investment by the Elton John Foundation will augment the previous commitment by PEPFAR and acknowledges the debilitating effect of stigma on prevention and treatment efforts targeting MSM.

We know, and have known for a long time that men who have sex with men, particularly Black MSM, whether they are in South Africa or South Carolina, bear the burden of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in much of the world. Last year we had 2.1 million new infections, which is the same amount of new infections we had the year before. With all of the new prevention tools, we have stalled in our prevention efforts. If we're not successful in driving down new infections, if were not successful in improving our prevention efforts, that will make prevention unsustainable. This initiative is an important step in that direction. But, it doesn't address the concern Michael expressed to me earlier today. It is important for Black MSM in the US to understand our connection to our brothers in Africa. We must add our voices to the their struggle. Their struggle is our struggle.

Yours in the struggle,

Phill