LOUD: The State of Gay Sex, Love and HIV Takes Harlem

On February 26, DBQ Magazine and HIV Stops With Me presents "LOUD: The State of Gay Sex, Love and HIV" at the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York.

"It's important this year for us to reach younger MSM, and DBQ Magazine has a large following among that population," said organizer Sheldon DeSouza of the campaign HIV Stops With Me, which is funded by the New York State Department of Health.

DeSouza said that magazine founder David Bridgeforth was interested in running a new column on HIV and health for the young men who currently enjoy reading about fashion and current events in his publication. It was a natural fit, and the LOUD celebration will launch this new health section, in which HIV Stops With Me will be featured. Call it synergy.

The event begins early with a VIP reception, featuring the Loud 100 list, which will be released in the latest issue of the magazine. A few of those featured include Patrik Ian Polk, creator of "Noah's Arc"; "Empire" star Lee Daniels; and author and BET talk show host Keith Boykin.

The program launches with the "Pillow Talk and Panel Discussion," a talk about how HIV impacts love, relationships and dating in communities of color.

"Something interesting about this panel is that we are incorporating transgender people into this conversation," said DeSouza. "I have two of my spokesmodels who are transwomen who are participating in this panel, as well as some young MSM researchers. The panel discussion will cover what we need to be talking about in and out of the bedroom."

Among these issues is the fact that MSM of color have a very high HIV infection rate. Much of this can be attributed to the high community viral load, said DeSouza, which MSM of color having sex within tight community groups in which some people may not know their HIV status.

"It's not that young, black MSM are having more sex or sex parties than their white counterparts, it's just that when you do have unprotected sex, you're much more likely to be infected with HIV or not know it, because you're not getting tested," said DeSouza. "Then when you go inside the ballroom community, that's a subset that's even tighter, with an even higher HIV rate."

The panel discussion is followed by a Solidarity Soiree, a big party for the participants to learn more about the new campaign, meet each other, network, relax, dance and have some fun.

"The important thing with this evening is to get this conversation started," said DeSouza. "The LOUD 100 event is honoring people who are out and doing the work around HIV and black men. We are also honoring those in the HIV Stops With Me campaign, who are out and about being positive and doing this work in our community."

DeSouza said that they are trying to create a movement, to connect these people to a larger community, and to have the audience members interact with and meet the panelists.

"This new campaign is about empowering HIV-pozzers to make a statement about metamorphosis. It's not just about being able to live, but about living fabulously exceptionally," said DeSouza. "We want for people to experience that and see how we can create a movement from this event, to take those ideas out the door and do actionable things."

"LOUD: The State of Gay Sex, Love and HIV" begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at the National Black Theatre, 2031 5th Ave, in New York, 10030. Tickets are free; RSVP to [email protected].