St. Louis: City Health Department, Churches Inform Blacks About Rise in HIV Cases

Black ministers historically have been very vocal on matters affecting their community, but when it comes to sex, and specifically HIV/AIDS, they have been noticeably reticent, according to Lloyd Edwards. Edwards has a unique insight on the role black churches can play: he's a black man with HIV, a Baptist minister and a health clinic HIV case manager.

"It's going to wreak havoc in the African-American community if something isn't done," said Edwards.

Recently, the St. Louis Department of Health joined up with the St. Louis Clergy Coalition to encourage frank discussion from the pulpit about the rise in HIV cases among blacks. Later this month, one-day training workshops will provide ministers with sermon ideas on HIV awareness, based on the "Ark of Refuge Pastor's Guidebook for HIV/AIDS Ministry." Health educators and a local physician will offer training in "Basic 101" HIV information.

The city has also been working with the African American AIDS Alliance to develop community leaders trained to encourage testing and awareness.

Shelia Grigsby, a nurse and health educator for the city Health Department, believes churches can effectively reach the black community. But so far, said Grigsby, not a single minister has signed up for the training. "It's going to be very tough getting churches on board," admitted Edwards.

Grigsby, a black woman, said some black ministers and their congregations deny HIV exists in the community. "They felt it was a white gay disease and that it never crossed over," she said.

Homosexuality is viewed in the black community as a weakness or fault, said Edwards. As a result, black men who are gay or bisexual do not disclose their orientation. Women unaware of their partners' other life can get infected.

Another problem, said Grigsby, is the insistence by some clergy that only abstinence can stop the disease, which she said does not always jibe with reality. Her hope is that ministers will at least encourage churchgoers to be tested for HIV so that infected persons can then take the steps that come with knowing their status.

Back to other news for August 13, 2003