New Video from Greater Than AIDS Focuses on Importance of PrEP

Greater Than AIDS released a new installment of their popular video series #AskTheHIVDoc, and this time it’s all about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) — the one-daily pill to prevent HIV. The campaign also unveiled a new national directory of PrEP-friendly providers.

HRC endorsed the use of PrEP in 2014. When taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider, PrEP has been shown to  reduce the risk of contracting HIV by upwards of 90 percent. While PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy, it can be paired with condoms and other safer sex strategies.

In the video, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Dr. David Malebranche answer frequently asked questions about PrEP, and cover a broad range of topics, from how effective PrEP is to missing a dose to the three-month check-up.

“The first step is finding a doctor. Then you’ll get an HIV test before you start PrEP. Come back every three months and get an HIV test,” Daskalakis explained. “If you’re on PrEP and you’re taking it every day, that test is going to stay negative.”

HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect members of the LGBT community, and despite nearly 30 years of research and advocacy, there are still 50,000 new cases of HIV each year, two-thirds of which are among gay and bisexual men. In addition, transgender women are also much more likely to contract HIV than other adults. Learn more from HRC’s issue brief.

According to a 2014 Kaiser Family Foundation national survey of gay and bisexual men, only one-quarter of gay and bisexual men in the United States are familiar with PrEP. Part of the problem is that many gay and bisexual men are not talking about HIV with anyone, including their healthcare providers. In #AskTheHIVDoc, Dr. Demetre and Dr. Daskalakis offer an easy jumping off point for starting the conversation about PrEP and HIV with a knowledgeable healthcare provide.

HRC Foundation applauds Greater Than AIDS for releasing these  important resources and will continue to educate the LGBT community and our allies about the current realities of HIV prevention, treatment and care.

What Do I Do? A Handbook to Understanding Health & HIV is a new resource by HRC, in collaboration with AIDS United, designed to provide easy-to-read, up-to-date and actionable information about HIV prevention, treatment and care. Click here to learn more.

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(Grand)Moms for Transgender Equality: Annie

Annie always knew there was something special about her grandchild, Kaycee.

“I knew it was something different about Kaycee,” she said in a new HRC video. “Kaycee didn’t have to tell me. I knew it.”

While Kaycee was worried about coming out to her family as transgender, her grandmother stood by her side every step of the way.

“Love your child, love your grandchild,” she concluded. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

Many LGBT young people lack crucial support from their families, and instead are rejected, leaving them at risk for homelessness, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. Up to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT.

Watch the video below and for more information on supporting and caring for transgender and gender-expansive children and youth, visit hrc.org/trans-youth.

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