Celebrating Community-Led Organizations This National Black HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
Post submitted by HRC HIV & Health Equity Program Coordinator Dimetri O’Brien
National Black HIV & AIDS Awareness Day is observed each year on February 7 to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement and treatment among Black communities. With members of the Black and African American community making up 44.1% of total reported deaths from HIV, and those in the Latinx community making up 16.3% of total deaths in 2017, according to the CDC, work in these communities is an urgent priority. This year’s theme for NBHAAD, which is coordinated by the Strategic Leadership Council, is “We’re in This, Together,” focusing on increasing HIV education among Black communities.
To mark this year’s awareness day, the HRC Foundation’s HIV & Health Equity Program is highlighting a community organization providing meaningful and vital services for those living with HIV in Virginia.
The Fredericksburg AIDS Support Team (FAST) began as a support group in 1989, providing services for those living with HIV in the Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia, areas. In 1992, with a robust group of volunteers-turned-board members, FAST organized under the name Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, and since then has been the leading service provider for those living with HIV in the Fredericksburg area, and in Caroline, Culpeper, Fauquier, King George, Madison, Orange, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties.
FAHASS offers medical case management, mental health services, housing assistance and more. Its initiatives educate people about the transmission of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections, as well as emphasizing the need for testing to reduce stigma among those they serve and beyond. FAHASS also provides the most-up-to-date information about HIV and resources related to health and wellness.
On this National Black HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, HRC is proud to stand “Together For Love” with FAHASS as it continues to be a shining beacon of service while reducing stigma and ending the epidemic one day at a time.
HRC is committed to working with our allies, partners, members and supporters to end the HIV & AIDS epidemic and the stigma surrounding HIV & AIDS. Learn more about HRC Foundation’s work here.
Log Cabin Republicans shunned by their own party, can’t even get a booth at upcoming convention
It’s been a rough year for Log Cabin Republicans. Not only has the conservative LGBTQ group been bleeding members, but they can’t seem to find any support or allies. Not even from within their own political party.
The Texas GOP has once again made it crystal clear that it wants absolutely positively nothing to do with the Texas Log Cabin Republicans.
For the twentieth year in a row, the State Republican Executive Committee has denied the LGBTQ group a booth at the state’s upcoming Republican convention. They can’t even get a card table in a dark corner near the handicap bathrooms.
Republican state Sen. Bob Hall said the group promotes “unnatural sex,” and religious zealot Steven Hotze said its members exhibit “immoral and perverted sexual proclivities.”
“The [Log Cabin Republicans] is a front group for the LGBTQ,” Hotze wrote in a scathing rebuke of the group.
He went on to allege Log Cabin Republicans seek to “force businesses, churches, schools, governments, and individuals to accept, affirm, and celebrate those who promote and participate in perverted sexual activities.”
In a statement, Houston chapter president Marco Roberts called the state GOP’s decision disappointing.
“Obviously, we are very disappointed with the decision made by our elected representatives,” he said.
Yet despite the fact that the party clearly wants absolutely positively nothing to do with them, Roberts seems intent on remaining a glutton for punishment.
“Many have told us that it is upon us to make the case for ourselves,” he said. “We agree, and we intend to do that, for us, and for our great party.”
Charles Moran, managing director of the national Log Cabin Republicans, tells the Washington Examiner, “There is no place in modern political discourse for the venom and sheer ignorance displayed by those opposing Log Cabin recognition in the party.”
On the contrary, it seems like the place for venom and sheer ignorance is the Republican Party.
Island House RAW: What’s It Really Like at Key West’s Clothing-Optional, All-Male Resort?
You’ve seen the sexy ads, watched the slickly-produced videos and heard all the wink, wink coy dispatches from Key West’s all-male, clothing optional resort, Island House. But what’s it really like at the Key West institution that prides itself on being the “Best Gay Resort In the World?”
The first thing you must understand about Island House is that it could only really exist in a place like Key West, where the vibrant LGBTQ community is firmly established and the island’s welcome “come as you are” attitude all but requires visitors to drop any semblance of pretense … and, well, clothing. There are a few clothing-optional guesthouses (or with clothing-optional areas), but there are also bars with clothing-optional yards and street festivals where skin is in, and the style is letting it all hang out.
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The phrase clothing-optional isn’t the sort of thing you see on your typical, cheesy Caribbean all-inclusive brochure, so, naturally, people have questions. Is it just sex everywhere all the time? Do I have to be naked? Will I be the only one who doesn’t look like an Instagram influencer? (Or, conversely, will I be the only one who DOES look like an Instagram influencer?)
The curiosity is understandable, but the panic is unwarranted. Still, it’s important to arrive with the proper perspective to really get the most out of your visit.
Island House is often loosely described as tropical resort-meets-bathhouse, but that’s a clumsy description at best. There are certain areas of Island House that are definitely more “cruisey” than others, but the exact proportion of (welcome, consensual) sleaze and luxury varies wildly depending on the person and what you’re looking for.
If you’re after sex, you definitely don’t have to look far. You can spend your time at Island House without once opening an app and still find plenty of fun. (In fact, the few times we opened Grindr or Scruff, we ended up talking to someone who was also sitting at the pool.) For a resort that offers free 24/7 porn channels in every room, the randiness that permeates the property should come as no surprise.
The beautiful, heated pool is the epicenter of Island House. On Sundays and Wednesdays, they host massive naked pool parties, which attract not only guests but tons of locals as well. Most people go naked, but certainly not all. It’s perfectly acceptable to keep your swimsuit on, but, in our experience, it’s tough not to get swept up in the liberated energy.
Although there is eye-candy aplenty, the vibe is more mixer than orgy. One of the most striking things about Island House is just how casual the nudity can be. It’s difficult to imagine making the typical small talk with people you meet on vacation while your dicks are floating in a pool surrounded by hoards of hunky men, but there’s something really special about it as well. There’s a heightened intimacy that makes even the most casual conversation feel a touch more authentic.
While it’s not unheard of to see a couple (or group) getting to know each other around the pool, the scene is often more celebratory than sexual. The pool’s proximity to the resort’s well-regarded café and restaurant keeps the action at a comfortable distance, especially during peak daytime and early evening hours. At night, it’s more common to see folks getting friendly on the sundeck and poolside loungers.
Don’t let that fool you into believing this is the kind of place that’s dripping in fluids and necessitates keeping your shoes on the whole time. The staff at Island House has seen it all, and their commitment to maintaining a pristine property with a pleasant attitude and no judgment only enhances the joy of indulging in some of your wildest fantasies. (Plus, with heavenly, cloud-like beds in every room, a lot of guys would rather take the party back to their own private quarters.)
The two hot tubs are a bit more steamy. Under the cover of the bubbling surface, friendly hands and flirty feet engage in silent negotiation while guys maintain swan-like grace and calm above the water. The tubs’ smaller size and circular setup encourages more conversation than the pool, and the typical hot tub crowd is a mix of jovial drinks, good conversation and the occasional break in the party to let the bodies do the talking. Like most areas, things pick up at night. (In case you were wondering, ‘What is the maximum number of men that can give you a handjob at once in a hot tub?’ It’s five, the answer is five.)
The steam room and sauna are also popular hookup spots, similar to what you might experience at a bathhouse in other cities. If you’re not in the market for a little meat, there are plenty of times you can have the tubs, sauna or steam room all to yourself to just unwind.
That’s true for anything at Island House. While the atmosphere empowers guys to maybe be a bit more bold than normal with their intentions, it’s also a vacation spot first, and there’s no pressure to engage or not engage in any activity. The only place at Island House exclusively for sex is the (in)famous Red Room. Also know colloquially as “The Library” or “The Cultural Center,” the dark, labyrinthine collection of booths and a communal room with … I guess you would call it a “sex bench?” (I can’t believe I Googled this) … in the center. For those not interested in certain carnal delights, it’s the one place to avoid. For those familiar (and the curious), it’s worth taking a spin through after one of the aforementioned pool parties to at least see what it’s all about.
It’s possible to spend your entire time at Island House bouncing from room to room (and lap to lap) fulfilling fantasies. (This is a good time to remind everyone to be responsible for their own sexual health, whatever that looks like for you.) However, between the all-male clientele, complimentary happy hours, popular parties and other amenities steps away from your comfy bed, a stay at Island House is worth the trip even without the prospect of a good pounding or two (or ten).
A common question is, ‘Will I even want to have sex with the other guests?’ And the answer is, I don’t know. Unlike a lot of gay spaces, twinks, bears, daddies, polar bears, wolves, pups, geeks, jocks, tops, bottoms, singles, couples, thruples and every other stripe of the rainbow are welcome at Island House. The exact mix is going to depend on the day, but there’s likely to be someone to satisfy most tastes.
And for those who are worried about being subjected to seeing someone they aren’t attracted to simply existing in the nude: Yeah, this probably isn’t the place for you. (Though, if you know a vacation spot that only caters to guys you personally want to have sex with, please send me that recommendation!)
However, if that’s your attitude, Key West as a whole might not be for you.
The magic of the island is its independent spirit. They proudly boast the island (and its inhabitants) are “close to perfect, far from normal.” That’s especially true at Island House where there’s a distinct #goodvibesonly energy that makes everyone — regardless of size, shape, age, etc. — feel comfortable.
Plus, who could be shady soaking up all this gorgeous sun?
GLAAD Launches ‘NEON’ – An Ongoing Digital Content Series That Aims to Increase the Visibility of Black LGBTQ People
Credit: GLAAD
GLAAD today launched NEON, an ongoing digital content series that aims to increase the visibility of Black LGBTQ people. NEON leverages the power of storytelling and GLAAD’s platform to create multi-dimensional, accurate portraits of the Black LGBTQ experience.
The first ‘NEON’ photo and video series featuring artist and poet, Roya Marsha whose legacy channels Audre Lorde, launched today:
NEON’s Black history legacy series will continue throughout the month releasing one photo and video of a Black LGBTQ legacy person from a variety of disciplines every Tuesday and Thursday.
“GLAAD’s continued commitment to communities of color is exemplified with the launch of Neon. We hope to help shift the narratives of underrepresented communities in media, especially for the Black LGBTQ community and their allies. With an increase in violence and murders of Black Trans women, LGBTQ youth suicides, and a decrease in LGBTQ acceptance, NEON comes at a time when it’s absolutely critical to showcase diverse, fair, and accurate representations of Black LGBTQ people within the media” said DaShawn Usher, Programs Officer, Communities of Color and producer of NEON.
“It’s important to me that queer people across the African diaspora can see themselves and hear their stories. There are so many opportunities to be represented in the media and yet in 2020, I still don’t feel represented or seen in traditional media. NEON now has the chance to tell these diverse and collective stories,” said Major Nesby, NEON’s co-creator and contributing producer.
NEON’s content will cover four categories:
IN THE MEDIA: Stories about representation. Launching today: Black History Month: Legacy Series. A photo/video collection featuring 7 LGBTQ people from multiple disciplines whose work is a legacy of a historic figure.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: Local stories that highlight changemakers and issues that impact communities on a more intimate level. Coming soon: Making A Barbershop Feel Like Home for Black LGBTQ People. A video about making traditional safe spaces like barbershops and beauty salons more inclusive for Black LGBTQ people.
CELEBRITY VOICES: Pop culture themed content that looks at LGBTQ celebrities and influencers shaping the narrative. Coming Soon:#GOALS A video series in which young millennials sit down with a professional who works in their dream job – someone who is #Goals.
ON THE SCENE: Having an LGBTQ presence at major events throughout the year. Upcoming events: GLAAD will have a presence at events such as: NAACP Image Awards, BET, Awards, Essence Festival, Black Women in Hollywood Brunch, American Black Film Festival, Black Girls Rock, MOBIfest, Afropunk, and more.
DaShawn Usher – Programs Officer, Communities of Color (GLAAD), Producer (NEON) Pronouns: He, Him, His
DaShawn Usher is an award-winning advocate, published researcher, and celebrated leader within the LGBTQ community and HIV prevention field. DaShawn serves as the Program Officer, Communities of Color at GLAAD with more than 12 years of extensive experience in LGBTQ research, program development and design, campaigns, and health communications. DaShawn is also the founder and Executive Director of Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI), a series of curated social connectivity events for gay and queer people of color to see their holistic self while promoting community, wellness, and personal development.
Abdool Corlette – Art Director (GLAAD), Lead Creative (NEON) Pronouns: He, Him, His
Abdool Corlette is an award-winning Creative with over 10 years of experience working in production. He is the Art Director at GLAAD and during the past three years has been the lead producer for most of GLAAD’s largest creative campaigns. He is passionate about showcasing the stories of underrepresented communities in media. His acclaimed documentary series “Other Boys NYC” profiled 50 queer and transgender men of color across New York City. His goal is to marry social advocacy and media to ensure that LGBTQ people and people of color are represented in accurate and multifaceted ways.
Major Nesby – Co-creator, Contributing Producer Pronouns: He, Him, His
A multidisciplinary creative, Major started his career as a dance artist performing in New York City and on global stages with Ailey II and Ballet Hispanico. A graduate of Point Park University, he has also had the opportunity of acting and appearing in several web series, commercials, and movies. Aside from his creative endeavours, Mr. Nesby works in medical research recruitment, where he liaises between the research community and underserved populations. Major is currently working as a producer, content creator, host and correspondent with outlets such as Ain’t I Latina? Google, and HBO.
Janel Martinez is a writer and founder of award-winning blog, Ain’t I Latina?, an online destination celebrating Afro-Latinx womanhood. Martinez is a frequent public speaker discussing media, tech, culture and identity at conferences and events for Bloomberg, NBCU, SXSW and more. She’s appeared as a featured guest on BuzzFeed’s AM to DM, NPR and Sirius XM, and her work has appeared in Adweek, Univision Communications and The New York Times.
Jazmin Samora is a conceptual visual artist born, raised, and based in New York City. The foundation of her work is rooted in exploring the textures, humanity, depths and nuances of black identities across the diaspora through the natural elements and bright vivid colors as her signature. She is well versed in editorial, documentary, beauty, commercial photography and content creation.
LaQuann is a photographer and filmmaker based in Brooklyn. His interest in photography grew out of a desire to document himself and the world around him. At the age of 13 he began making self-portraits and over the past decade he has created a prolific body of work that has evolved, exploring themes of Blackness, identity, isolation, intimacy, rejection, community, yearning and disappointment.
It’s been a rough year for Log Cabin Republicans. Not only has the conservative LGBTQ group been bleeding members, but they can’t seem to find any support or allies. Not even from within their own political party.
