Azealia Banks apologizes for rant against PrEP users
Singer and rapper Azealia Banks has posted an apology for a rant she posted a few weeks ago against people who use PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis).
On Instagram yesterday, she posted a message that read: “Hey guys, so…. a few weeks ago I went on a rant about Pre exposure prophylaxis meds and I am just doubling back to say I’m sorry.
“It’s not my place. It was extremely insensitive.
“Who cares if I meant well, that wasn’t the way. I’m really really sorry.”
In late October, Banks took to her Instagram stories to criticize Frank Ocean for launching an NYC club night called PrEP+.
Related: Azealia Banks slams those taking PrEP and blasts “dumbass” Frank Ocean
Banks slammed the name of the night and voiced criticisms of the medication – which is taken by users to prevent them from acquiring HIV. She questioned the drug’s potential side effects and people allowing others to cum inside them.
“There’s no reason you need to have a fucking pill so you can just fuck whoever you wanna fuck,” she said.
“The boys are still getting HIV. The girls are getting fucking renal failure. They’re getting liver fucking failure, they’re getting anal warts, they’re getting anal cancer, OK? That’s a fucking death trap.”
“And for that dumbass n*gga Frank Ocean to sit up there and fucking promote that to y’all gays like that’s something that y’all need? It’s evil. And he’s probably getting paid.
“Y’all stay off that fucking PrEP.”
She suggested that anyone taking PrEP may have a “sex addiction” and should seek help from a psychiatrist, before imploring people not to allow “everybody” to cum inside them and, “be responsible!”
Related: Frank Ocean kicks off his own queer club night: PrEP+
Banks is known for voicing sometimes controversial opinions… but not so much for issuing apologies.
Her initial comments were criticized by many. Many sexual health advocates say PrEP has proven a valuable tool in the war against HIV transmission, preventing thousands of people from acquiring the virus.
Ocean did not respond directly, although he did issue a statement via Tumblr in answer to some of the feedback he’d received about his club’s name. He stated he was not being sponsored or paid by any drug company.
“I decided to name, what was otherwise going to be a night of lights and music inspired by an era of clubbing that I loved PrEP+ because while designing the club … I started to imagine in an era where so many lives were lost and so much promise was lost forever along with them, what would it have been like if something, anything had existed that in all probability would’ve saved thousands and thousands of lives.”
wtf
#TanksElevation Oct 25th Preorder NOW!#RnBMoney 
the homophobia and double standard bout to jump outta a lot of people too,” said @vincebarries.
@twelvepastseven