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I agree that there needs to be a Black Women's Movement to advocate for the rights of Black women to be protected and treated for HIV/AIDS. I believe that we are once again assuming that we need not do anything- that white women will be looking out for our needs because we are women too! Wrong, again. That was our attitude during the advent of Feminists, NOW, etc. Black women must come together, lobby and speak out and demand our fair share of government funding to combat this epidemic.
If you're female, black and educated doctors do not test for AIDS. You have to fit the uneducated with multiple partners criteria. If married and monogamist or single and monogamist they don't think to test. Jst because you're faithful it doesn't mean your partner is faithful.
I have lived with AIDS for more than 15 years. I can understand how life gets in the way but women continue to die and become infected. NYC now has a Positive Women Network... we are looking for women to bring their voices,strenght and vision to the table to shape a natinal agenda to address all reproductive health issues. if you are interested please contact me for more information.
As the article states, any woman having unprotected sex is at risk for HIV. So why don't women of all colors and ages join together to bring focus to these issues? One voice, one message, on point would seem to be stronger than providing focus on a particular group. All are in need.
Antionetta and Arlene hit the nail on the head. I've advocated for women since diagonsis in 1997. I've lobbied in Capitol Hill for women, children, families infected and affected. It can be too risky to bring to the table the issues outside the home for women with HIV. The mindset of HIV pos women and the social acceptance of our is to nuture our families. Cultural barriers can attach stigma. The idea it takes away from familial responsibility. This is bigger than a Women's Movement.
Until all women stop allowing the men in their lives to have the power over them of belief beyond ALL reason-and get themselves tested-NO MATTER WHAT-this unspoken epidemic will continue to ravage women of all races & socio-economic backgrounds. Until non-profits start reaching out to ALL women (not just the LBGT) -we will continue to die in vain & in silence. Education & testing-maybe that would've saved me from contracting this from my abusive, now dead BF in 1985.
I am a married white woman 58 years old with AIDS who got it from a blood transfusion in 1991. I went undiagnosed for 17 years and through 11 different doctors almost died before I was diagnosed because I didn't fit the profile for AIDS. Everyone no matter your sex or color should be tested if anyone draws blood for other testing. I had tons of blood drawn, 3 bone marrow biopsies CAT scans MRI but none tested for AIDS. I think it should be a Nation wide law if you draw blood, test for Aids!
Jeanne Harris
You cannot sit back and wait for doctors to test for AIDS- women must ask that they be tested for HIV,AIDS, HEART DISEASE,BREAST CANCER ,etc.
November 23, 2009 • Fort Worth