Who Can You Tell?

Message from the PostitiveEntrempowerment Heterosexual Men’s Workgroup

“If you are not at the Table you are on the Menu.” This terminology sounds familiar to many, but what happens when you, ”ARE NOT ON THE MENU.” Heterosexual men are not included in research, prevention, care, vaccine trails, biomedical prevention, when it relates to studies and clinical trials.

Therefore left out of these important strategies of Ending the HIV epidemic, the internal and external stigma permeates further. Many programs are linked to certain modes of transmission, and exclude others. The time has come for inclusion of the Denver Principles and MIPA as it relates to Heterosexual Men. We know there are special populations that will receive more attention, but we cannot negate the aspect of the need for equity. We are not asking for equality.

HIV criminalization, and HIV decriminalization, always brings mention of Heterosexual men to the forefront of the conversation. As aging continues to be an increasing factor for people living with HIV, there are medical, housing, aging, health literacy, and mental health issues that needs to be studied and addressed.

The call is for, “IF THERE IS NOTHING FOR US.”  Please join with us in building our own table. Your support will be greatly appreciated:  CBO’s, ASO’s, Faith-Based Communities, PACHA, CDC. We are beginning with The PositiveEntrempowerment Group.  See our page at:  PositiveEntrempowerment@groups.io and to join the email list, just email: PositiveEntrempowerment+subscribe@groups.io.  If you know any heterosexual men living with HIV please refer them. We welcome new members. We need mentorship, leadership and advocacy training, technical skills and meaningful engagement and employment.

-The Men of the Howard University PositiveEntrempowerment Workgroup