CNP AMONG THOSE ON LIL NAS X’S “BABY REGISTRY” CONNECTING SONGS ON HIS NEW ALBUM TO GROUPS WORKING TO DEFEAT HIV STIGMA IN THE U.S. SOUTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL ATLANTA, GA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THE COUNTER NARRATIVE PROJECT (CNP) AMONG THOSE ON LIL NAS X’S “BABY REGISTRY” CONNECTING SONGS ON HIS NEW ALBUM, LAUNCHING TODAY, TO GROUPS WORKING TO DEFEAT HIV STIGMA IN THE U.S. SOUTH
September 17, 2021 - Today musical artist Lil Nas X is releasing his new album “Montero,” and asking fans to donate to HIV and LGBTQ advocacy groups. The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) from Atlanta, GA is among those included on Lil Nas X’s “baby registry,” connected to the song “Don’t Want It.”
CNP is among 13 Gilead COMPASS Initiative® organizations to be included on the registry. The full list of songs and groups is here. CNP works to shift narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Founded in 2014, CNP serves our local community by offering the Narrative Justice Fellowship, a leadership academy, a yearly summit for activists and artists, and an online publication The Reckoning.
Charles Stephens, Founder, CNP: “Being included on Lil Nas X’s registry is an incredible honor. Visibility for our work to raise awareness around HIV advocacy is critical, especially because our community remains disproportionately impacted. It’s also remarkable for an artist with the influence of Lil Nas X, to use his platform in such a powerful way.”
CNP is also asking media to share key facts to defeat the stigma driving new infections:
HIV Is a Social Justice and Racial Justice Issue: Black Americans account for more HIV diagnoses (43%) and people living with HIV (42%) than any other racial and ethnic group in the U.S. Black Americans are vulnerable to HIV because of structural barriers, steeped in racist and anti-Black policies and practices, to resources like healthcare, education, employment and housing. The three groups most affected by HIV are Black gay men, Black cisgender women and transgender women of color.
HIV Treatment Works, U=U: People living with HIV, when on effective treatment, live long and healthy lives and cannot sexually transmit HIV, according to the CDC. When someone living with HIV receives effective treatment and follows regimens prescribed by their doctor, HIV becomes undetectable when tested. When HIV is undetectable, it is untransmittable: U=U (#UequalsU).
HIV Prevention Works: HIV testing should be a part of regular medical screenings. The CDC recommends that every person ages 13-64 receive an HIV test. When a person takes a test and receives an HIV diagnosis, they can be linked to care immediately to protect their own health and prevent passing on HIV to others. Medications like PrEP (a daily pill to prevent HIV) are 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed for people who do not have HIV.
Faith-based HIV Stigma Hurts, and Spreads the Disease: With more than 10,000 congregations having members living with HIV, it is important for faith communities to take leadership in addressing HIV stigma. Shaming people living with HIV or for being on medication to prevent HIV stops people from seeking the care they need and lets undiagnosed people pass on the virus.
###
