January 22, 2013 | Author: Angie B
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
In 2010, white MSM (men who sleep with men) continued to account for the largest number of new HIV infections (11,200), by transmission category, followed closely by black MSM (10,600).2
Although MSM represent about 4% of the male population in the United States,4 in 2010, MSM accounted for 78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections.2 MSM accounted for 52% of all people living with HIV infection in 2009, the most recent year these data are available.1
The estimated number of new HIV infections was greatest among MSM in the youngest age group. In 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among MSM occurred in young black/African American MSM aged 13–24. Young black MSM accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black MSM and 55% of new HIV infections among young MSM overall.2
Since the epidemic began, almost 300,000 MSM with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 6,863 in 2009.3
Sorry so many statistics but I have to bring you the facts. The Truth. Ladies that's mind boggling information and we on the other hand are on the receiving end of the stick sadly. Do you realize that?
Recently I've been drawn back to this topic and I say back because it was just a few years ago, 2004 to be exact when the book "On The Down Low" came out written by a man by the name of J.L King. He talks about Down Low men (straight men who secretly have sex with men for those of you that don't know) and really started to shed some light on this situation. Now here we are 9 years later almost a decade and we are dying at alarming rates....you read the statistics right?
Ladies these are our men whether it be your man or not it could be your brother or uncle or father. Numbers don't lie like a man will. Men I love you but you know you lie and women aren't exempt. So I just wanna shed some light on a few things to look out for. Let's not be in denial ladies because the stuff Terry McMillian was on was some BULL! She new her husband had some "tendencies" she just didn't want to admit it on national television. But can you blame her? That had to be embarrassing. So with my own opinions and a few from some others here's what I formulated about down low men. 7 signs to look out for:
1. Thy shall NOT be thrown off. Is he Overly homophobic?
Personally I think that a man that is just overly homophobic has got to be looked at twice. Why? Any man that has almost a racist type of attitude towards gay men are the ones you should look out for. Just think about it, if a man is really gay or likes men and doesn't want anyone to know ofcourse he's going to come off as being cocky and anti-gay when it comes to men because he doesn't want anyone to know or find out about him.
2. Has he been to the Pen? Penitentiary that is.
We have all heard the stories about what goes on in Prison don't lie you watched OZ on HBO. The HIV and AIDS is running rapid in the prisons where our men reside. Likely you have a cousin, friend, uncle or brother that has served time at some point. Am I right? Just another sign to look out for. We all know what happens in prison. Need I say more?
3. Talks on the phone with other men...often.
Seems like he talks on the phone with his "boys" more than you? Look out! That's a sign to look out for. No man should be talking on the phone all times of the day night with another man. I don't care if that's his best friend. I mean there's a time and place for everything and when you're in a relationship that's a No No. Sometimes he get's off the phone with you to talk to them, just always on the phone with his boys and doesn't have time for you. Keep one eye open.
4. New Freaky Deaky! Wants to try new "freaky" positions.
So out the blue your man wants to try something "New". Okay that's cool and all because I'm all for bringing the spice but what is it exactly you wanna do? He wants to have anal sex with you. Now hold on, if ya'll get down like that then OK to each his own but if this is something new. Look out! Check him lady especially if he persistant just always wanna do it. Threesomes...if this is something new that he's bringing to the table...it's not something to be too leary of but I would keep one eye open.
5. No Sex at all?
It can also be the total opposite extreme to the sex or the lack thereof. Now that he's totally attracted to men, he's just not that into to you boo. Sorry but he's just not physically attracted to you anymore and this could be the reason for the lack of sex in your relationship. Now him no longer being attracted to you can NOT be attributed totally to him being gay. It could be that he's into another woman or you may have gotten so out of shape, that you don't want to even look at yourself in the mirror, why should he?
6. Is he in the mirror more than you? #Metrosexualtothefullest.com
Ladies this is suppose to be us in the bathrooms all across America taking our sweet little time in our mirror making sure everything is perfect not a MAN. Now don't get me wrong, I love a man that knows how to groom himself. Damn that's sexy just thinking about it but there should be a time when you draw the line. You're ready to go almost in the car on your way to dinner and he's still in the mirror arching his eyebrows...WATCH OUT!
7. Jewelry and Body Piercings.
There's nothing wrong with a man wearing jewelry, but when he starts wearing a tounge ring or wearing pinky rings...look out. Anytime a man get's his stomach and nipples pierced that's doing the most and a sure sign that he just might be gay.
On a serious note ladies this is a very sincere topic to me and I don't take it lightly. We have to take some responsibity in the climbing numbers and be more responsible for ourselves. We've lost many sisters and brothers to this epidemic called AIDS. It's up to each and everyone of us to be a part of the solution and NOT the problem. You too have a responsibility and a duty to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
To learn more about Down Low Brothas I suggest you read: http://cdn.mediatakeout.com/31541/inside-the-mind-of-a-downlow-brotha-a-secretly-gay-man-explains-his-agenda-in-his-downlow-manifesto.html and http://chroniclesofdownlowbrotha.blogspot.com/2010/08/michael-baisden-do-you-really.html
To learn more about HIV and AIDS epidemic I suggest you follow this link:http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/index.htm
I hope you have been informed today and are more aware than you were before, because then I know I have served me purpose...be blessed and please I encourage you to post your comments and let me know what you think about this blog and this topic. Thanks! Peace.
Follow me on Twitter @AngieBanks01
Get the book On The Down Low,by J.L King.
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