This article first appeared on Queer Kentucky and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
A Black Queer Kentuckian’s Thoughts on HIV/AIDS Stigma and Historyby Kevin Garner, Queer Kentucky
May 24, 2025 As a Black, gay, queer man, I understand firsthand the deep and often painful intersection of identity, community, and health when it comes to the history of AIDS and HIV. For far too long, the story of AIDS has been framed in ways that ignore or marginalize the experiences of people like me—Black and queer individuals—who have been disproportionately impacted by this epidemic. Knowing the history of AIDS and HIV within our communities is crucial, not only to understand how we’ve survived, but to honor the lives and legacies of those we’ve lost along the way. The HIV/AIDS crisis didn’t just ravage communities—it reshaped our cultural landscape, leaving lasting effects on families, relationships, and even how we view health and care within our communities. For Black people, the impact has been multifaceted, compounded by systemic racism, stigma, and a long history of exclusion from vital healthcare resources. The stories of Black lives lost, the strength of our collective resistance, and the ongoing fight for equity are narratives that too often go untold or overlooked. In Kentucky and across the globe, the repercussions of this epidemic are felt deeply. When we fail to acknowledge this history and its far-reaching effects, we lose more than just medical knowledge—we lose our connection to the resilience that has carried us through. Understanding how AIDS and HIV have affected Black communities is not just an act of remembrance; it is a vital step toward ensuring that our community members today and in the future are given the support, respect, and resources they deserve. This is why the history of AIDS and HIV, and its intersection with race and sexuality, matters now more than ever—it is part of our collective healing and survival. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health : - African Americans were 7.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection as compared to their white counterparts.
- African American males have 8.1 times the AIDS rate as compared to white men.
- African American women have 15 times the AIDS rate as compared to white women.
- African American men are 6.0 times as likely to die from HIV infection as non-Hispanic white men.
- African American women are 15.3 times as likely to die from HIV infection as white women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported cases of a rare pneumonia (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) in five gay men in Los Angeles in June 1981. This was one of the first official notifications of what would later be understood as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). In 1983, the virus responsible for AIDS was identified as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). There have been some early documentation that HIV-1 has been around since the 1960’s. HIV is believed to have originated in Central Africa, crossing over to humans from chimpanzees and gorillas, leading to what is now known as HIV-1. My first encounter in discovering this disease began when I was in my early twenties in the military. However, there was minimal discussion regarding it, if someone did test positive, they would immediately remove you from your duties. I was notified that I had to go and give a blood sample. I asked the nurse on duty what was it for and he told me it was for AIDS/HIV detection and the next question he asked me was, “have you had unprotected sex with a man in the last 12 months or ever?!” This was years before Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. At this time, I was definitely scared and really was not sure where I stood sexually. However, at that time, I had not had sex with a man unprotected or protected. Yet, being asked this question, shook me to my core. If I was good enough to serve this country, why did it matter if I had sex with a man? It felt dehumanizing! Beginning in the 1980s, as HIV/AIDS emerged, there was a significant lack of awareness as well as an understanding of the virus, particularly within African American communities. AIDS was referred to as a “gay disease” which promoted stigmatization within marginalized groups who were at risk, including gay Black men, people who injected drugs and people with multiple sexual partners. However, the lack of access to education and healthcare, and systemic racism left many communities feeling displaced and vulnerable. Prevention strategies in the 1980s , especially in the African American community which often focused on safe sex, yet, due to limited outreach, many members of our Black and Brown communities were left to their own devices. Writer N. David Williams, author of “Forever Young: Deceased Men and Women With HIV or AIDS From Kentucky and Southern Indiana,” stated that from prior to the early 1990s, contracting the HIV virus was a death sentence. Between 1986-1995, in the state of Kentucky, there were only two facilities that accommodated people that were affected by the virus. The CDC began the campaign, “AIDS: A Public Health Crisis,” which did very little to address the social, economic and cultural identities within minority communities initially. Beginning in the 1990s, increased opportunities for HIV testing including outreach and support programs for intravenous drug users became relevant including promoting the use of clean needles. Condoms were being promoted to prevent the spread of this disease. The Black church also played a role in helping to reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS while promoting HIV testing and prevention. In the meantime, every industry in America was being affected through loss and death. In a 80s and 90s Kentucky, HIV/AIDS services were concentrated in urban areas such as Louisville and Lexington. As a conservative state, political attitudes and action were slowly emerging. For example, Nazareth Home and Lyndon Lane Nursing Facility were the only two facilities that would take clients under 40 who were affected by this disease during this time. There was a push for prevention. However, outreach efforts faced challenges due to cultural and social perspectives. By the 2000s, Kentucky began to provide treatment centers, the University of Kentucky and several other organizations began offering specialized care for those affected by HIV. The state expanded access to testing and prevention resources in high-risk communities with a major focus on men who have sex with men (MSM). Community organizations such as the House of Ruth, Kentucky HIV/AIDS Program and AIDS Interfaith Ministries of Kentucky, and PrEP and Treatment accessibility for high-risk individuals. The state also expanded insurance coverage through Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, which gives more people living with HIV to access care and treatment. Today, as we continue to push for a cure. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) continues to offer support for people living with HIV, including case management, educational campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations. The fight against HIV/AIDS is ongoing, and our communities, both in Kentucky and across the U.S., continue to face unique challenges related to prevention, care, and stigma. The evolution of treatment and prevention methods, like PrEP and ART, has changed the landscape, but a more targeted and culturally sensitive approach is needed to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes across our state.
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Source: Queer Kentucky
https://queerkentucky.com/a-black-queer-kentuckians-thoughts-on-hiv-aids-stigma-and-history/
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