New York: HIV/AIDS Outreach With Pride

Today in Brooklyn, the fifth annual Pride in the City event for the borough's gay, lesbian, transsexual, and transgender community kicks off with a focus on HIV/AIDS in African Americans.

According to the New York City Health Department's most recent statistics, more than half of the city residents newly diagnosed with HIV in the first six months of 2004 were black. And of those, 26 percent reside in Brooklyn. A similar pattern was seen among AIDS deaths during the same period: 52 percent of the 1,051 New Yorkers who died of AIDS-related illnesses were black, and 30 percent lived in Brooklyn.

Since Brooklyn has the city's largest African-American community, the numbers are hardly surprising, said Gary English, executive director of People of Color in Crisis, an HIV/AIDS support group based in the borough. "HIV/AIDS is particularly on the increase among black men who have sex with men," said English. "That's why we do Pride in the City."

The four-day event -- designed to attract people who are hesitant about attending traditional health fairs -- will include dances, a picnic, and a beach party. Private HIV testing will be offered at each event. "We bring our medical model, which includes testing and counseling, right into the community," said English.

For a complete listing of Pride in the City events, visit www.prideinthecity.com.

Back to other news for August 4, 2005