Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
As it is for so many other AIDS activists, actress Mo'Nique's dedication to HIV education and prevention work is rooted in the loss of loved ones'including her best friend, in October 2002'to the disease. 'I know she'd want me to give something back,' the star of the UPN sitcom The Parkers says of serving as a network spokeswoman for the 'Know HIV/AIDS' initiative and of appearing in public-service announcements targeted at African-Americans, particularly women, among whom HIV infection rates are disproportionately high. The Grammy-nominated comedian and two-time winner of the Image Award from National Association for the Advancement of Colored People finds it particularly upsetting that continuing silence among African-Americans about AIDS issues keeps those most at risk'sexually active youths and women'reluctant to talk about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases with their partners. 'Sex is made out to be taboo, something you do in the dark,' she says. 'You don't have conversations about it. You don't ask your partner, 'What happens if I get pregnant? Are we ready to be parents? What happens if I get HIV'are you willing to stay with me?' Instead, you just do it, and an hour later you starting wondering what just happened and what the consequences of it might be. That's crazy.' Instead, Mo'Nique urges taking personal responsibility for protecting oneself and one's partners from HIV. That includes getting tested for HIV antibodies, encouraging boyfriends and girlfriends to do the same, and having frank, honest conversations about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases with potential sex partners. Most important, the message she drives home in her PSA that began appearing in early January on UPN, CBS, BET, TNN, Showtime, Comedy Central, and in more than 5,500 Blockbuster stores nationwide is to always use condoms. 'I'm not saying not to have sex,' she explains. 'What I'm saying is that it's vital to use condoms. Just do it. Wrap it up. He might be the finest man in America, and she might be the prettiest [woman], but AIDS has no color, it has no special look, and it can attack anyone at any time. Love yourself enough to protect yourself. Love your partner enough to protect your partner. That's all there is to it.'
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
The science behind U=U has been liberating people with HIV for years
June 04 2024 3:31 PM
Why activist Raif Derrazi thinks his HIV diagnosis is a gift
September 17 2024 12:00 PM
How fitness coach Tyriek Taylor reclaims his power from HIV with self-commitment
September 19 2024 12:00 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
The freedom of disclosure: David Anzuelo's journey through HIV, art, and advocacy
August 02 2024 12:21 PM
Out100 Honoree Tony Valenzuela thanks queer and trans communities for support in his HIV journey
September 18 2024 12:00 PM
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
Creator and host Karl Schmid fights HIV stigma with knowledge
September 12 2024 12:03 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
Meet ​our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending after more than 30 years
October 17 2024 12:40 PM
Twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention drug, reduces risk by 96%
October 15 2024 5:03 PM
Kentucky bans conversion therapy for youth as Gov. Andy Beshear signs 'monumental' order
September 18 2024 11:13 AM
Study finds use of puberty blockers safe and reversible, countering anti-trans accusations
September 11 2024 1:11 PM
Latinx health tips / Consejos de salud para latinos (in English & en espanol)
September 10 2024 4:29 PM
The Trevor Project receives $5M grant to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health in rural Midwest (exclusive)
September 03 2024 9:30 AM
Introducing 'Health PLUS Wellness': The Latinx Issue!
August 30 2024 3:06 PM
La ciencia detrĂ¡s de U=U ha estado liberando a las personas con VIH durante años
August 23 2024 2:48 PM
Tratamiento y prevenciĂ³n del VIH por inyecciĂ³n: Todo lo que necesita saber
August 23 2024 2:41 PM
Sr. Gay World quiere asegurarse de que estés bien
August 23 2024 2:30 PM
Eureka is taking a break from competing on 'Drag Race' following 'CVTW' elimination
August 20 2024 12:21 PM
With a new case in Sweden, what is the new mpox outbreak and should you be concerned?
August 15 2024 4:48 PM
From ‘The Real World’ to real life: How Danny Roberts thrives with HIV
July 31 2024 5:23 PM