When Winnie Thompson called her 20-year-old son, Sidney Keys III, to talk about PrEP, his initial reaction was what did an HIV prevention drug have to do with him; a straight, Black college student? Because of his mother’s commitment to harm reduction and open dialogue, that unexpected phone call challenged his widespread assumption that HIV awareness is meant for someone else.

When Winnie Thompson dialed her 20-year-old son between classes to ask if he had ever heard of PrEP, she had no script. She only had the conviction that her own discomfort mattered far less than his access to life-saving information. Reflecting on that unprompted phone call, Thompson challenges the demographic blind spots in HIV prevention marketing and reframes sexual healthcare from an awkward taboo into a routine discipline of personal responsibility.

Where HIV is concerned, the culture of silence and moral shame within the Black church remains entrenched. ViiV Healthcare convened the panel “Separation of Church & Sex: Faith and the Fight Against HIV” at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Atlanta, where clinicians, theologians, and advocates issued a call to faith leaders to treat HIV not as a moral failing, but as a public health crisis.

Actor's Express in Atlanta is producing Tarell Alvin McCraney's Choir Boy, running August 8-30, 2026. Actors Brandon L. Smith and Clinton Harris speak to how the play's music and story of a young queer choir leader mirror their lives as Black queer men. Director Amanda Washington, the theater's associate artistic director, says the production speaks to the time we’re living in, amid ongoing attacks on queer and civil rights, offering both comfort and a call to confront uncomfortable truths within Black families and communities.

Jason Collins broke barriers as the NBA's first openly gay player, but 13 years after his coming out, not one active player has followed his lead. As tributes pour in following Collins' passing, one question lingers: why has a league that celebrates Pride Month and punishes homophobic slurs failed to create a culture where gay players feel safe enough to be themselves? The answer reveals the gap between the NBA's progressive public image and the hyper-masculine locker room culture that still keeps "the last closet" door firmly shut.

Michael Jackson's humanitarian efforts extended beyond music into the HIV movement, likely influenced in part by his close friendship with activist and actress Elizabeth Taylor. Through benefit concerts, charitable donations, and public advocacy, Jackson used his platform to combat stigma and raise awareness during one of the most critical periods of the epidemic. His contributions left a quiet but meaningful mark on the fight against HIV.

“As one of the most powerful human beings this country has seen in the past 30 years, and someone whose show I grew up watching, it would be nice if you realized your influence and took more personal responsibility for the quality of your shows that address serious topics like HIV in the Black community.” - Dr. David Malebranche

At the 2025 Paradise Garage Reunion at Xanadu in Brooklyn, writer Craig Washington joins fellow “Garageheads” to celebrate the legendary club’s enduring legacy. Through an intimate interview with original resident DJ and reunion co-organizer David Depino, the piece explores how the gathering has evolved into both a multigenerational dance floor and a living memorial to those lost to HIV.

Tubi’s “Demascus” upends TV norms, blending sci-fi, comedy, and therapy to deeply explore Black masculinity and vulnerability. Writer, Josha Alston, argues that the show is a fresh, essential vision for Black storytelling, revealing how real revolution comes when platforms dare to center authentic voices and complex emotional journeys.

William Johnson, the Director of PEN America’s Florida office, writes this tribute to poet Jubi Arriola-Headley.

The Red Dress Run in New Orleans is famous for its spectacle, but its true impact and meaning for the Black queer community remain complex and deeply debated. Dr. Deion Hawkins explores how visibility, philanthropy, and Black queer joy intersect, and sometimes collide, at one of the city’s most colorful events.

Laverne Cox’s viral confession sparks a vital call for nuanced, intergenerational dialogue on accountability and history in Black queer communities, beyond quick criticism or shame.

Magic Johnson celebrates 66 years of life as a person with HIV, a testament to medical progress, while highlighting persistent disparities facing Black gay men who still bear the epidemic's heaviest burden despite available treatments.

When Keith Lee’s fitness video drew sexualized comments from some men, his response highlighted a broader tension over how Black men’s bodies are policed online. Dr. Deion Hawkins argues that attraction isn’t the issue; the issue is harassment, and true queer-straight solidarity requires respecting boundaries and allowing all Black men to be carefree.

Mr. Loverman is a quietly stunning drama about a 74 year old Antiguan-born British patriarch who has hidden a decades-long same-sex affair with his best friend and soulmate. The story of love, regret, and longing, inside the glass closet, is told through theatrical storytelling and remarkable performances.

After surviving a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a routine surgery, Los Angeles-based physician and wellness advocate Dr. Leo Moore emerged with a renewed mission to empower Black men to proactively manage their health. His new book serves as a practical guide to screenings, self-care, and breaking long-standing barriers between men and the healthcare system.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show redefined Black boyhood on television. Through Warner’s work, generations of Black boys, from all backgrounds, found permission to be complex and unapologetically themselves.

After being laid off, Everett Long navigates the uncertainty by reflecting on his values and focusing on personal growth. His journey highlights the importance of redefining success beyond traditional career paths.

Noah’s Arc: The Movie revisits the groundbreaking Black gay series two decades later to deliver a searing meditation on aging and loss centering the seldom-told experiences of middle-aged Black gay men.

Freak Twitter, a hidden in plain sight, digital space where Black queer men explore their sexuality and build supportive connections is more than just an outlet for adult content. Dr. Deion Hawkins discusses how this overlooked corner of the internet offers a unique avenue for self-discovery and connection.