CNP applauds the passage of SB 164—the bill that modernizes Georgia’s decades-old statute criminalizing people living with HIV. The updated legislation introduced by State Senator Chuck Hufsteler (R-52) received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 9, 2022.

Before the passage of SB 164, a person living with HIV (PLHIV) could face a felony and up to 10 years in prison for not disclosing their HIV status prior to any sexual activity. The degree of risk of HIV transmission was not a factor in the statute—including circumstances where there was no HIV transmission, nor even any risk of HIV transmission.

With the passage of the Parental Rights in Education bill in Florida, most commonly referred to by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Republican state senators in Georgia are proposing Senate Bill 613, a similar bill to the Florida legislation that now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to become law. The proposed Georgia bill restricts teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students in private schools.

The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) was founded as a love letter to early HIV movement leaders, some of whose stories are documented in books such as “In The Life” and “Brother To Brother,”—two sacred texts amplifying the voices of Black gay men in the early HIV crisis. CNP is committed to not only countering narratives but shattering myths as we work at the intersection of public health, narrative shift, and collective remembrance. Acknowledging our past as Black people and Black HIV movement leaders has been the fuel for our activism. At CNP, we believe that historical erasure is anti-Black racism. By healing collective trauma, we are elevating community power.

For the second year in a row, GLAAD has nominated The Reckoning, CNP’s digital publication covering Atlanta’s Black LGBTQ+ community in the Outstanding Blog category. GLAAD announced the 2022 nominees across 30 categories on Wednesday. The Reckoning is one of five nominees in the Outstanding Blog category that met GLAAD’s criteria for bold and original content that accurately represents the LGBTQ community.

Atlanta, GA—January 28, 2021, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, a nonprofit regional theater that celebrates the rich traditions of Black storytelling, and the Counter Narrative Project (CNP), a Black gay advocacy organization that uses art and culture as strategies for social justice, are partnering on a virtual reading of Before It Hits Home, written by Cheryl L. West. The virtual reading will celebrate the play’s 30th anniversary and commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. More about #NBHAAD here.

December 11, 2018 – Atlanta, GA – On December 4, 2018, 39-year-old comedian Kevin Hart was announced as the host for the 91st Annual Academy Awards. Over a 48-hour period, America watched as a series of homophobic jokes and comments from 2009 to 2015 resurfaced for a public divide of condemnation and defense, often with Hart’s young son as the subject, and usually at the expense of Black gay men.

February 21, 2018 - In July 2017, over 20 leaders of color convened in New York City to begin articulating a racial justice analysis for the HIV field. From that meeting, A Declaration of Liberation: A Framework for Building a Racially Justice and Strategic HIV Movement was released by the group in September 2017. Today, we announce the formation of an interim steering committee for a newly created network of leaders of color advancing racial justice in the HIV movement: HIV Racial Justice Now.

ATLANTA, GA - On Tuesday, June 27, 2017, The Counter Narrative Project will unite black gay men and allies to celebrate the legacy of Craig G. Harris and to commemorate National HIV Testing Day (#NHTD) by aligning with partners from around the country to host the I Will Be Heard (#IWillBeHeard) National Day of Action.

February 7, 2017 - As you read these words, Michael L. Johnson is sitting in prison under a discriminatory law that hurts many and helps no one. With your help, he could be free in a matter of months. To make sure that Michael has expert legal support when his case is again heard in court, we must raise $20,000 in 20 days. Will you give now to help secure justice for Michael?

ATLANTA, GA - On November 2, 2016, the Counter Narrative Project, a national black gay men's advocacy organization, in partnership with a number of community organizers, cultural workers, activists, and artists from across the country, will commemorate the 30th anniversary of In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology (#ITLAt30).