WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 17: A worker cleans the wall of the Human Rights Campaign building, June 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. Images of the 49 people killed in the Orlando terror attack at Pulse nightclub are displayed in the windows to honor the victims.
The Human Rights Campaign has teamed up with several historically Black colleges and universities across the nation to launch the HBCU Health Directory. As described by the Human Rights Campaign, the directory will identify "gaps in service delivery, catalogs existing services and assists with facilitation/linkage to HIV prevention and treatment services for Black college-age students at HBCUs." To bring this project to life, the HRC will also enlist the help of the Black AIDS Institute and the Legacy Project.
"Black gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic. This directory is a vital support system that will help empower HBCUs to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV by removing barriers to effective interventions for addressing the HIV epidemic," HRC President Alphonso David said about the newly launched directory.
This directory is of particular importance to young Black and brown scholars because marginalized communities are typically hit hardest by HIV and AIDS. The Human Rights Campaign reports that 50% of Black gay and bisexual cisgender men and 25% of Latinx gay and bisexual cisgender men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetimes. Adding on, a recent CDC study of seven major U.S. cities found that 62% of Black transgender women and 35% of Latinx transgender women already living with HIV.
"Given the size of the epidemic where 1 in 2 Black gay and bisexual cisgender men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime, the Human Rights Campaign is proud to add this new directory to the list of strategies that we have developed in order to defeat this longstanding threat to Black LGBTQ health and futures," David added.
Beginning this fall, the HBCU Health Center Directory will be available to students. Introductory information is currently available on the organization's website.
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