*When we think about a mother’s love, the word “unconditional” comes to mind. Whether she’s the woman who birthed you or a woman who inspires guides and supports you unconditionally, a mother can be an eternal source of love, support, strength, and advocacy. Between the mothers and sons of our community, this bond can be even more powerful – reminding you of your value as a person and encouraging you to take care of yourself. This is true when it comes to all aspects of life, especially health.
When it comes to health, the support and care of a mother in Black gay, bisexual, and queer men’s lives can make a big difference in their comfort and willingness to seek healthcare services – especially when it comes to HIV. This bond can influence whether men seek testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication or treatment for HIV, including whether they advocate for their own healthcare needs with employers, doctors, pharmacists, community members, and friends.
While already plagued with stigma and marginalization, these communities often face additional hurdles when it comes to HIV diagnosis and treatment. Despite Black and Latinx people comprising less than a quarter of the U.S. population combined, these groups make up almost two out of every three new HIV cases diagnosed each year.1 Black gay, bisexual, and queer men are also far less likely to seek HIV testing or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to prevent transmission, leaving them vulnerable to HIV.
In this season of celebrating mothers, ViiV Healthcare is introducing the Mother to Son initiative to remind our communities of the strength and value of the mother-son bond, and its importance in protecting the health and wellness of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ men. Building off the brilliance of the legendary Langston Hughes’ iconic poem “Mother to Son,” which details the delicate vulnerability of the relationship between a mother and her son, Mother to Son seeks to highlight this network of support. The empowering photo campaign features notable pairs such as Ty Hunter & Connie Hunter, Luna Luis-Ortiz & Blair Khan, and others across the nation.
ViiV Healthcare developed a conversation guide to help break down some of the walls that can obstruct a safe and open dialogue between mothers and sons. To view the photo campaign and conversation guide, visit ViiV’s website.
[References]
AIDS Trends and U.S. Statistics Overview. HIV.gov. Accessed February 21, 2023.
OTHER NEWS ON EURWEB: We Need to Prioritize Black Women and Girls When We Talk About HIV Prevention. Now.
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