Blacks, Hispanics
Targeted in HIV Campaigns

Two new HIV awareness campaigns were launched Wednesday by the New York City-based Gay Men's Health Crisis targeting women and gay and bisexual young men of color. "HIV: We're Not Taking It Lying Down" is geared toward women of color and promotes safer sex, according to a GMHC press release. The multilayered campaign is an attempt to empower women to get tested for HIV. The other campaign, "I Love My Boo," features young men in relationships and emphasizes a message of love and responsibility that emphasizes safer sex and HIV prevention.

"These provocative new campaigns address rising HIV infection rates in two of the groups most directly impacted by focusing on the strength and resiliency of people of color within their communities," Marjorie J. Hill, chief executive officer of GMHC, said in the release. "They speak to individuals and communities in a language of love, respect, acceptance, and sexual health -- highlighting what is possible in intimate relationships instead of focusing on problems with negotiating safer sex and getting tested for HIV."

New figures released by the city's Department of Health and Medical Hygiene show that HIV diagnoses have increased by 6% in women and bisexual and gay men of color ages 13-29. The campaign also references information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showing that one in four teen girls in the U.S. have been infected with at least one sexually transmitted disease. Nearly half of African-American girls in the study were infected. (The Advocate)