Out the Archives is a recurring feature diving into the Windy City Times collection, offering a look back at the rich history of LGBTQ+ Chicago.
In this edition, we look back at the August 2001 issue of En La Vida, which included coverage racial disparities among new HIV cases.
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HIV prevention programs’ lack of cultural and social knowledge on risk increases for marginalized communities was one of the talking points around HIV in 2001. A report from that year was hoping to change that.
“Social Discrimination and Health: The Case of Latino Gay Men and HIV Risk” was a collaborative project by Rafael M. Diaz and George Ayala, published by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The report connected social discrimination and an increased risk for HIV infection in the gay Latino community.
The study was based on findings from “Nuestra Voces,” a study of 900 men from three years prior. It documented the correlation between forms of social oppression and risk-taking behaviors associated with HIV transmission. HIV prevention strategies of the time were not taking these into consideration.
“In the U.S., Blacks and Latinos are now eight and three times more likely, respectively, than non-Latino whites to be diagnosed with AIDS,” Diaz said. “In the year 1999-2000, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 69 percent of new HIV infections were among Black and Latino individuals.
In the study, men were placed in two groups according to their levels of HIV risk. Men in the “high risk” group reported significantly more homophobia, racism and poverty. However, the presence of an openly gay adult role model and acceptance of gay identities by family also correlated with lower levels of high-risk behaviors.
The NGLTF hosted a press conference to discuss the findings of the new study, with Diaz calling for workers and advocates to be “agents of social and cultural change.”
Under the second Trump administration, federal offices have been banned from research involving keywords around marginalized groups and identities. However, as demonstrated through Diaz and Ayala, research into underserved communities can lead to an increase of support, understanding and acceptance.
Did you contribute to En La Vida during its 1996-2002 run? We want to hear from you! Email Managing Editor Jake Wittich at wittichjake@gmail.com to get in touch.