SDCSN & AFAN Recognize Black History Month With New Awareness Program

During the month of February, Aid for AIDS of Nevada commemorates Black History Month by encouraging awareness and education among the African-American community of southern Nevada. This demographic is among the highest risk group to be infected with AIDS.
 
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of sixteen African-American men and one out of thirty African-American women will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime. In 2008, an estimated 18,328 African-Americans received an AIDS diagnosis. This is 46 percent of the overall population diagnosed with the disease that year.
 
Because of these startling statistics, AFAN is making a significant effort to increase its outreach by instating a new program that will assist and educate members of the African-American community on HIV/AIDS. Leading up to National Black HIV/AIDS Day on February 7, AFAN along with Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada will launch, What God’s Trust Says About Your Truth, a series of lectures and interactive classes hosted by Pastor Pat Spearman (Stonewall Director of Faith Outreach). The series will explore various faiths and their relation to the LGBT community, especially for African-Americans, intended to provide a place to learn more about their own faith and the faith of others through this non-denominational lecture series.
 
Spearman will lead the group through a two month program, beginning on February 5. The first session, Looking at the Origin of Religious Myths of Homosexuality, will be held from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the AFAN office at 701 Shadow Lane.
 
Because the infection rates of homosexual African-American men are the highest compared to all other racial groups, AFAN hopes that the program will help the community become more knowledgeable on the disease and encourage all to get tested.
 
AFAN & Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada understand the increased risk of HIV/AIDS among the African-American community and will continue to work with the population in hopes of providing better education on the disease and promoting positive sexual health.