Photo Credit: CDC

In commemoration of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Start Talking. Stop HIV. campaign released a new music video featuring Alex Newell in his hit song Collect My Love.  The video highlights key areas of HIV prevention and reflects the diversity of the gay and bisexual male community.

Alex Newell also talks about HIV prevention in this behind-the-scenes footage of the Start Talking. Stop HIV. music video.

September 27 is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day of action to focus on what each of us can do to reduce the toll of HIV among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Start Talking. Stop HIV., a new phase of CDC’s Act Against AIDS initiative, seeks to reduce new HIV infections by encouraging open discussion about a range of HIV prevention strategies and related sexual health issues between sex partners. Effective partner communication about HIV can reduce HIV transmission by supporting HIV testing, HIV status disclosure, condom use, and the use of medicines to prevent and treat HIV.  The CDC’s initiative has many resources to raise awareness about HIV among gay and bisexual men including conversation starters, information about sexual health, and campaign materials such as posters, brochures, and infographics.

Since its founding, GLAAD has worked to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Earlier this year, GLAAD released its latest in a series of Public Service Announcements in partnership with The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation in an effort to reignite the passion and action needed to beat the HIV and AIDS epidemic. GLAAD has also created a guide for reporting HIV & AIDS-related stories in the news to help end the negative stigma associated with the disease. Click here to learn more about GLAAD’s HIV resources.

Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD, shared that:

“GLAAD was founded in order to combat the sensationalized media coverage surrounding the HIV and AIDS crisis in the 80s, and we have been committed to this cause ever since.  This campaign will help bring more awareness to HIV and AIDS and remind everyone that we have the power to end this epidemic in our lifetime.”

Alex was also a featured artist at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on May 14, 2016 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, performing Mariah Carey’s hit song “Hero.”