Y’all Means All
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), based in Montgomery, Alabama, has launched a new public education campaign to curb the use of the word “y’all” in certain southern states. The campaign, dubbed “Y’all Means All,” is intended to stop some people from using the word “y’all” as a way to exclude the LGBTQ community and other minorities. The word “y’all” is used primarily by white people in the southern United States. The SPLC is worried that y’all could be misinterpreted as a slur against the LGBTQ community when the word “y’all” is actually a contraction of “you” and “all,” giving the term …
The History of HIV on the African-American Community
African-Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV, more than any other racial group in the US. Despite a recent overall drop in HIV diagnoses, there are still significant disparities between racial groups. African-Americans accounted for 42% of the HIV diagnoses but made up only 13% of the country’s population in 2018. In the African-American community, black gay and bisexual men are the most affected by HIV, followed by black heterosexual women. More measures must be implemented to help address the fact that the African-American population remains overrepresented across all transmission modes. While prevention efforts continue to increase, certain challenges remain involving HIV and …
Back to the Basics of STDs
No one wants to contract a Sexually Transmitted Disease, yet many people don’t know the best practices to prevent them. When it comes to STDs, knowledge is your best defense. Let’s review some STD basics — some of the most common STDs, how they’re transmitted, and how to prevent them. …
How Different Countries Celebrate World AIDS Day
It is important that while living through the coronavirus pandemic, we don’t forget about the other pandemic affecting more than 38 million people across the globe. In 2019, almost 40 million people worldwide were living with HIV or AIDS; nearly two million of those infected were below the age of 15. In light of World AIDS Day, understanding how we can combat AIDS and stop the spread of HIV is something we can all apply to sexual and physical health in general. …
COVID’s Impact on HIV
COVID is changing humanity in ways that would have been hard to imagine before the onset of the pandemic. Almost every aspect of life has shifted. Shops are now scanning clients’ temperatures, schools are social distancing, and a large swath of the workforce has transitioned to working from home. However, there’s no arguing that the health sector has been the most impacted. …
The Importance of Mental Health
October marks an important month in the world of mental health. Mental Illness Awareness Week was October 4-10, and World Mental Health Day was October 10th. Statistically speaking, 2020 has been a trying year in terms of mental health. COVID-19, social unrest, and economic uncertainty are among the leading causes behind increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. As we continue through October, we need to talk about the importance of keeping up with your mental health, as well as the methods available for you to do so. …
Men Seeking Men Seeking Help
September 27th marks National Men’s HIV Awareness Day, a day with particular importance. Statistics show that gay men are the most affected by HIV, according to CDC data, with a disproportionate representation compared to the rest of the community. Because of this fact, it’s essential that gay and bisexual men both understand why this is the case, as well as what methods they can use to avoid their risk for catching the virus or having it negatively impact their lives. …
How Are You Being Safe at College?
Usually, midsummer would be a time to relax, but no one feels entirely at ease under the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. College students are in a unique situation, with a once-in-a-lifetime experience being completely altered. Some schools have already decided to go mostly virtual, while others are still in the air in terms of their decision making. These are unusual and strange circumstances for everyone, but there’s no arguing against the fact that safety should be paramount. This includes steps the colleges take as well as your responsibility. Here are some of the things you can do as we get …
Post Pride, Now What?
Pride Month in Fort Worth and across the world took on a very different look this year, with COVID-19 putting a halt to the parades, celebrations, and other events we commonly associate with June in the LGBTQ community. However, that doesn’t mean that nothing took place at all. Here’s what Pride Month 2020 looked like in Fort Worth, as well as what the community is doing to be supportive throughout the rest of the year. Fort Worth and Pride Month In a Pride Month, where social distancing was required, what were some of the events we saw this year? The …
Should You Take a Gap Year?
Historically, the path for college-bound high-school graduates has been seeking an institution and making the transition as soon as you graduate. However, there’s a growing resistance and skepticism that this is the only way to go. A clear sign of this is a gap year, an intentional, scheduled delay between high school and college. Students can take advantage of this to do a variety of different tasks that, in theory, will make their college years more effective. Is this the right route to take for you? Here’s some insight on the different pros and cons. What Can You Do During A …