FinalCapellaProject2

Field Experience Project
HIV/AIDS in Queer/Trans Communities of Color
Sancia Jones 12/18/15 MPH:5999

FieldExperience Project
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Abstract
This is a qualitative proposal and study surrounding the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS
infections in high risks groups, particularly focused on low income areas/communities in
Brooklyn, NY. The purpose of the proposal is to force researchers, government officials,
community leaders, institutions, and community organizations to recognize the injustices and
ineffective treatments that aren’t creating prevention or eradication of the epidemic. The theme
of the proposal is being able to better understand effective treatments and prevention methods
that actually reach high risks groups in a productive and positive way. The subjects of the study
will be those living within low income communities and includes mainly LGBTQ youth and
African Americans who have been directly affected by HIV/AIDS in some way be it a family
member or even themselves. The aim is to understand the root of why, with so many advances in
the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, do infections in these communities still skyrocket.
The participants will be looking for answers or clues for these reasons by creating art
installations at an LGBTQ Group event held in Brooklyn, NYC focusing on Queer and
Transgender people of color, while collaborating with the Health GAP, ACT UP, and MIX
Festival organizations. The participants will be examining the psychological, behavioral, and
sociological constructs, that influence people’s sexual behavior and life choices.

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Table of Contents
Defining the Problem……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3-9
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3-6
Advancements in HIV/AIDS Prevention.......................................................................................... 6-7
Goals and Objectives......……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8-9
ImplementationStrategies ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………......9-11
Documentationand RecordsKeepingTools ………………………………………………………………………………………9
Ethicsin Research andthe Organizations(Health GAP, ACT UP, MIX Festival)………………………………..10-12
MIX Festival EvaluationandDiscussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………..12-18
Roles of the Mentors …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12-14
Project Implementation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Volunteer Roles in Implementingthe Project ……………………………………………………………………………..15-17
End Results ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17-18
Key Findings and Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18-25
Outcomes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………18-19
AssessmentandSurveillance: CommunicationStrategy ………………………………………………………….....19-22
RecommendationsandConclusions …………………………………………………………………………………………….22-25
References ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..26-29

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Defining the Problem
Introduction
Epidemiological study of African American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and
Queer health disparities and diseases is relevant and important in today’s world. In the book,
Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, it states that according to a study of differential
mortality in the United States, African Americans had the highest mortality of any of several
racial groups examined (Friis, Sellers, 2014). This study is concentrated on the spread of HIV
infections in low-income African American communities in Brooklyn, NYC, with a special
interest in those African Americans who are also a part of the Queer/Transgender People of
Color population. The primary focus is to examine available resources, education, and
prevention methods that are available for these communities and try to understand why infection
is still rapid, when prevention programs are available in these communities. According to the
book, included in the 10 leading causes of death among non-Hispanic blacks are homicide, HIV,
and septicemia, whereas these conditions are not among non-Hispanic whites (Friis, Sellers,
2014).
The national and international guidelines and regulations that may impact studying
HIV/AIDS on a particular race in an urban city like Brooklyn will vary depending on the type of
research methods used. According to Friis et al (2014), for organizing a paper for descriptive
epidemiology of a selected health problem, it is important to following these steps, first define
the problem, then describes the agent, briefly describe the condition, and finally data collection
of sources. For this type of research study it would benefit from an approach that includes both
quantitative and qualitative methods.

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The participants along with the mentors created thought provoking posters/ art
installations that were displayed at an LGBTQ event called, the MIX Festival, held during the
week of Nov 8-13 in Brooklyn, NYC. The project was implemented through the collaboration of
three organizations which are The Health GAP, ACT UP, and MIX Festival nonprofit groups.
Participants worked alongside assigned mentors from each of the collaborating organizations for
the implementation of the project.
The MIX Festival event is a LGBTQ film festival that is a sex positive place for LGBTQ
people. The films are a collection of art inspired films that are created by several LGBTQ artists
that work in the community. The event is held for a week in November every year in Brooklyn
and is the main event that is sponsored by this organization. In the film festival there will be art
installations and decorations for people to view throughout the week of the festival, the
posters/art installations created will be one of the installation/display that people can view while
attending the festival. Since the project is not one for the use of human subjects there will not be
any surveying or questioning of the participants of the festival. Instead the posters/art pieces are
displayed stimulate a reaction from its audience. In the showing the theme is to help inspire the
audience to reconsider how they are taking care of their health prompting them to think about
their future sexual choices.
The project key goals and objectives were to first to create two posters/art installation
pieces, one created for HIV/AIDS risk populations who are already infected and one created for
people who are at high risk for infection. For the poster/art piece for those already infected the
main focus of attention of the art will be on resources and support systems/groups that can help
HIV Positive people throughout their lives. For the other poster/art piece the focus will be

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on PrEP, which is the pill Truvada that can be taken by uninfected people as a precautionary
measure, insuring that low HIV/AIDS transmission between sexual partners will happen if taken
regularly. According to the NYC government website, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a
daily pill that can prevent HIV infection. If you take PrEP every day, it greatly reduces your risk
of HIV. PrEP can protect you if you’re at risk of exposure to HIV through sex or injecting drugs
and are ready to take a daily pill. If you are HIV-negative and worry about HIV infection, ask
your doctor if PrEP may be right for you (“What is PrEP and PEP?,” 2015). Secondly, the
mentors in collaboration with their organizations needed to find a venue to post the posters/art
pieces, an LGBTQ event sponsored by Health GAP and ACT UP, and MIX Festival.
Although the MIX Festival event was open to all LGBTQ people, the targeted population
is QTPOC population of the LGBTQ communities. QTPOC stands for Queer, Transgender, and
People of Color. The event was held in Bed-Sty, Brooklyn in a scene where their culture was
more prevalent. “Bedford-Stuyvesant: Diverse and Changing” starts off by giving a history of the
neighborhood stating that, "To sum up Bedford Stuyvesant as yet another stunning Brooklyn
brownstone neighborhood falling victim to gentrification would be to deny the vitality and
tenaciousness of a community with deep cultural and historic roots in the area" (Gregor, 2008). It
continues on by explaining that, along with Harlem, this sprawling north central, Brooklyn
neighborhood of around 134,000 residents has been one of the most prominent communities for
the city's black population since the 1920s and '30s, when African-Americans first moved to the
area in large numbers (Gregor, 2014). From 2000 to 2010 the number of white residents grew
from 2.4 percent to 15 percent, while the number of black residents decreased from 75 to 60
percent, recorded by the census data. The number of Latino populations rose to 20 percent of the
population. In the western half of the neighborhood, the changes have been even more massive

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with the white residents making up more than 25 percent of the population, and black residents
49 percent (Gregor, 2014).
Advancements in HIV/AIDS Prevention
Newly, perfected prevention methods are available for all, such include the OraQuick
testing kit that people can order and even pick up at local pharmacies to help with knowing your
status and burst a rise in prevention of the epidemic. This test can be conducted in the privacy of
one’s home without the paranoia or humiliation that one my feel if tested in a clinic, hospital, or
doctor’s office. It is a test that has an oral swab that you just put in your mouth and then wait to
see if it turns a certain color to see if one is HIV positive. It is simple and 99.9 percent effective.
Here is what the OraQuick Website, states about the product. With OraQuick, you have the
comfort of getting your test results in the privacy of your own home. It’s the only at-home oral
HIV test approved by the FDA. Adapted from a clinically proven, FDA-approved test with over
20 million test sold, healthcare professionals have used it since 2004. You can call their support
center anytime. There trained customer service representatives are available 24/7 ready to answer
questions and you can get results from the test in just twenty minutes (“What is OraQuick?,”
2015).
Other prevention campaigns include continuously using the power of the media to keep
Americans aware of the disease and how to prevent it. Media campaigns include the GILEAD
campaign and other affiliates that strive to let people know that HIV/AIDS is treatable and
preventable. According to their website, GILEAD states that, “For more than a decade, Gilead
Sciences has been a leader in the development of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS. Gilead
researchers have developed six commercially available HIV medications and are advancing a
robust pipeline of next-generation therapeutic options. Recognizing that the greatest need for

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HIV treatment is in the least-developed parts of the world, the company has put in place
innovative programs and partnerships to expand global access to its medicines. Today, 5.4
million people are receiving Gilead HIV therapies in low- and middle-income countries”
(“Scaling up Antiretroviral Sustainably,” 2014). Medications available such as Truvada, Viread,
and other generic medications makes it possible for people to live longer and is easier to take,
when compare to the Molotov cocktail of drugs that HIV infected people were taking before the
development of more powerful medications.
However, despite these advancements HIV/AIDS continues to ravish through high-risk
communities and groups. Such groups are mostly made up of low-income families, minorities
(particularly Hispanic and African Americans), and the LGBTQ communities. All of the people
represented in high-risk groups are constantly dealing with discrimination, scrutiny, and poverty
in their everyday lives, when compared to their counterparts in American society. The constant
psychological breakdown of these people contributes to the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and
is still doing so. According to the GILEAD website, it explains that, thirty years since the first
cases were reported; HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s foremost health challenges.
Approximately thirty million people have died of AIDS, and more than thirty-five million people
are now living with HIV. The epidemic disproportionately affects the developing world, where
90 percent of people with HIV resides and the vast majority of new infections occur. HIV is a
barrier to social development and economic growth as it reduces life expectancy, destabilizes
families and deepens poverty (“Scaling up Antiretroviral Sustainably,” 2014).

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Goals and Objectives
For this proposal, the focus is mainly on African American LGBTQ groups in Brooklyn
and the literature that exist is enormous. Some of the partners that exist are New York City Faith
in Action for HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS Services Administration, GMHC, Brooklyn Knows HIV
Testing Initiative, Gay Men of African Descent, House of Worship Community Partners, and the
list continues. For one of the organizations New York City Faith in Action it states that, New
York City Faith in Action for HIV/AIDS focuses on educating the communities they serve on
issues of HIV and AIDS Prevention, care and education. They formed in 2008, the coalition,
which is a city-wide partnership comprised of individual, faith organizations, health and secular
organizations working collectively toward the goal to reduce and eliminate HIV and AIDS in
New York City. They hold events and attend national conferences (“New York City in Action
Home Page,” 2015). For New York City there are many collaborations of organizations working
together to combat it's city of HIV/AIDS. It is also one of the most progressive cities on every
level in government services, social and support services, and in overall health care of the city.
According to the CDC website it states that, if we look at HIV infection by race and
ethnicity, we see that African Americans are most affected by HIV. In 2010, African Americans
made up only 12 percent of the US population, but had 44 percent of all new HIV infections
(“HIV/AIDS Statistics Center: Basic Statistics,” 2015). Additionally, Hispanic/Latinos are also
strongly affected. They make up 17% of the US population, but had 21% of all new HIV
infections. It continues by suggesting that, if we look at HIV infections by how people got the
virus (transmission category), we see that men who have sex with men (MSM) are most at risk.
In 2010, MSM had 63 percent of all new HIV infections, even though they made up only around
2% of the population. Individuals infected through heterosexual sex made up 25 percent of all

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new HIV infections in 2010 (“HIV/AIDS Statistics Center: Basic Statistics,” 2015). These
statistics and ones like it are the reason for my immediate concern and interest in the subject of
HIV/AIDS.
It is a truly dedicated mission to eradicate or help to eradicate this disease in higher risk
communities. It is important to represent all three groups of high risk, which includes minorities,
lower income families, and LGBTQ communities. These groups are the most doomed in today's
society and often face adversities that limits their quality of life on a daily basis. Quality of life
circumstances such as access to areas of health care, socioeconomic status, education, and nature
vs nurture, support systems, and prevention or outreach programs all play an intrigue role in
sexual behavior choices made by QTPOC populations. There was a serious lack of quality of life
resources for many of the lives that are affected the most by the disease.
Implementation Strategies
Documentation and Record Keeping Tools
Key tools for record keeping are the note taking of the weekly meetings with the mentors.
They are using the traditional method of having meetings with agendas and recording those
meetings and documenting the progress. Using the tools of Microsoft word for note taking.
Materials for the art pieces could include: digital cameras, fabrics, posters, usage of people as art,
and any resources that may be needed for art expression. We are using our personal computers
for the project and utilizing Health GAP, ACT UP, and MIX Festival resources for coordination
for the event, promotion and adaptation.

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Ethics in Researchand the Organizations (Health GAP, ACT UP, MIX Festival)
The best method when doing qualitative analysis is by interviewing and questionnaires.
However, with this study its only aim is to spark a reaction or inspire thoughts and conversations
around HIV/AIDS in QTPOC communities using digital media and art installations. The project
doesn’t involve using human subjects so interviewing and questionnaires will not be used.
Instead, we will be creating art that will be displayed at an LGBTQ event in Brooklyn, NYC.
Confidentially plays an extremely important role with using qualitative methods, a
researcher wants to make sure that their data doesn’t cause any harm to their variables whether
independent or dependent that could ultimately affect their lives. According to an article called,
“Ethical Community-Engaged Research: A Literature Review,” there are 3 ethical principles that
researchers should follow. The first is individual autonomy-respect for persons purports that
individuals should be treated as autonomous agents. The second is that beneficence and non-
maleficence require researchers to maximize benefits and minimize harm to research participants
and ensure individuals’ well-being by demanding that researchers carefully consider the risk-
benefit ratio of participation. The third is justice or the fairness principle, which requires that
researchers equitably distribute the risks and benefits associated with research across society
(Mikesell et al, 2013). Since no people will be involved in the making or distributing of the
posters/displays there will be no need for confidently of human subjects to be addressed in this
project. Participants in the project used their own creative expression and media adaptations in
this project. The project was conducted adhering to the policies of Health GAP, as well as, the
MIX Festival venue/event owners and coordinators of the event, where the displays will be
shown.

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Amongst all of the NYC Department of Health and Hygiene partners the ones that I
chose to work with for this project is Health GAP and their affiliates ACT UP and MIX Festival.
The Health Gap, which stands for Health Global Access Project are an organization of U.S.-
based AIDS and human rights activists, people living with HIV/AIDS, public health experts, fair
trade advocates and concerned individuals who campaign against policies of neglect and avarice
that deny treatment to millions and fuel the spread of HIV. We are dedicated to eliminating
barriers to global access to affordable life-sustaining medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS
as key to a comprehensive strategy to confront and ultimately stop the AIDS pandemic. We
believe that the human right to life and to health must prevail over the pharmaceutical industry's
excessive profits and expanding patent rights (“About: About Page,” 2015). The website
continues by saying that, Health Gap campaign for drug access and the resources necessary to
sustain access for people with HIV/AIDS across the globe. We work with allies in the global
South and in the G-8 countries to formulate policies that promote access, mobilize grassroots
support for those policies, and confront governmental policy makers, the pharmaceutical industry
and international agencies when their policies or practices block access (“About: What does
Health Gap Do?,” 2015).
The Health GAP uses the ethical principles of the World Health Organization, when it
comes to Ethics and Health it states that, From its outset, the HIV epidemic has raised many
ethical challenges for public health officials, researchers and clinicians, reaching from macro-
level policy to micro-level clinical decisions. World Health Organization has been supporting its
Member States in addressing these ethical issues, working on equitable access to HIV services,
ethical issues in testing and counselling, HIV surveillance, and clinical trials. More recently, the
introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the early initiation of antiretroviral

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treatments in individuals with HIV infection has raised a number of complex ethical issues in
making strategic allocations of financial and programmatic resources for HIV prevention and
treatment (“Programmes: Ethics and Health: HIV/AIDS,” 2015).
MIX Festival Evaluation and Discussion
Roles of the Mentors
The mentors have set up a plan for evaluating the work and progress. Each week during
the course of the project participants will keep a journal or log of the progress, from the planning
to the implementation of the final art pieces shown at the event. Each week we will be holding
meetings and we will be keeping the minutes of these meetings for our data collection. They will
at the end evaluate the documentation of the log and provide feedback on the potential of the log
to be useful with grant writing and fundraising efforts for their organizations. They will also be
providing feedback on how this project could be used in their organizations for future planning
of activities and sponsored events that they hold annually. They will also be evaluating the actual
art pieces on its criteria, creativity, effectiveness, message, and focus. Each week we will be
looking at ad campaigns, propaganda, media, billboards, and HIV/AIDS ads place around the
city and on the internet. This will aid in the creation of our displays/art adaptions that will be
held at the planned event sponsored by the mentor’s organizations. The official mentors were
Michael Tikili and Catiriana Reyes.
The Health Gap website states that, Mike, (Michael Tikili) is a community organizer of
Nigerian descent who was raised in Brooklyn and Guyana. He became involved with Health
GAP through his work with QUEEROCRACY, a grassroots activism group that focuses on
global health, the AIDS epidemic, and other issues that affect queer people throughout the world.

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He holds a Master of Business Management degree from Duke University's Fuqua School of
Business and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience from Duke University.
Mike has been featured for his activism in various media including the Village Voice, and was
the recipient of the 2012 Chloes Award for his participation with the We Can End AIDS
Mobilization and listed in Poz Magazine as one of the most effective AIDS activists in 2012 and
2014. He currently resides in New York City and continues to work with QUEEROCRACY and
ACT UP NY to fight for social and economic justice and an end to the AIDS pandemic (“About:
Staff & Board,” 2015). He currently resides in New York City and continues to work with
QUEEROCRACY and ACT UP NY to fight for social and economic justice and an end to the
AIDS pandemic (“About: Staff & Board,” 2015).
The other mentor, Catiriana Reyes, is a transgender activist, entertainer, songstress, and
community organizer. She grow up in the Louisville LGBTQ community. She has been working
in entertainment while here in NYC, as well as, building networks, bonds, and working
relationships with the NYC LGBTQ community. She currently serves as Micheal Tikili’s
assistant at Health Gap and ACT UP as a volunteer. She has been working in activism prior to
this in our home town of Louisville, receiving rewards for her activist efforts from our
Congressmen John Yarmouth and many other activist partnerships and community members.
She work exclusively with Louisville’s Fairness Campaign in her years living in that city. Their
website states that, The Fairness Campaign seeks to dismantle oppression and build an inclusive
community where all individuals are valued and empowered to reach their full potential. We are
a broad, diverse community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people and allies
committed to transforming society and building a more just world (“About: Vision Statement,”
2015).

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Michael and Catiriana looked specifically at demographics, cohesiveness of the design,
and capability with the mission and vision of their collaborating organizations. During the event,
the mentors gaged the audience’s reactions and may use responses through anonymous comment
forms that they may decide to collect. Participants will not take part in any collection of
responses and only the mentors would have made the decision to collect any forms from
participants in the audience at the MIX Festival.
Project Implementation
While working with mentors and the collaborative staff between the three organizations
that sponsors the event, there were many challenges that were face together. There was no direct
involvement by the participants with finding a venue and leasing a space for the event. This was
the responsibility of the three organizations involved with the event. These decisions were made
by the board members of the organizations. The space was acquired a week before the actual
event took place. It was the job of the board, staff members, and volunteers to get the space into
decent shape for the upcoming event. In this week all of the people involved helped to decorate
the space and renovate the space so it would be up to pare for opening night. Every year the
event is held at a different location then the previous year. This occurs because there is no
official event space for the event and real estate in NYC is expensive. Real estate is an ever
changing market in NYC. Being that the event is only held once a year for a week the
organizations feel that it is best to just rent a building or space for a week as oppose to paying
year round rent for a space that is only going to be in use for a week out of the entire year.

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Volunteer Roles in Implementing the Project
You had to be an unofficial member of the three organizations in order to display any
project art installations at the MIX Festival event. So, working to get the space together along
with the mentors was a must for any participants being featured at the event. The role of
volunteer for the event in any capacity needed was very important to the success of hosting the
event and displaying the art installations. As a volunteer you take on many responsibilities and
do what is needed to get the event ready for opening. The theme this year was “We Are All
Bound Together,” which for the creative directors meant that the event space would be colored in
royal purple and adorned with yarn everywhere to show the binding togetherness of the LGBTQ
community, as we celebrate all the artists and their art. The space itself was a warehouse located
at in Brooklyn, NYC. The space was huge. Lots of renovating of the space occur as the creative
team along with volunteers, staff, and board members worked diligently, sometimes even though
the night to transform the space in to a big ball of purple with purple yarn everywhere. The
space was transformed from a warehouse to an art museum in a matter of weeks.
The main job during the pre-opening of the event for the volunteers as assigned by the
mentors was to be a part of the kitchen and driving staff. Participants drove from across three
boroughs between Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to help the staff members purchase items
necessary to make the space ready in every capacity for the opening night. The board members
of three organizations always seem to choose a leasing space that has no kitchen so every year
the Food Coordinator for the event, Jesse Kessel, has to create a kitchen from scratch every year.
The traversing through the boroughs helped us to purchase all the needed kitchen appliances for
the event for the sectioned off kitchen area within the warehouse of the space. The participants

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also helped the staff with purchasing many other needed supplies like wood, services tools, fiber
glass, art crafts, and etc for decoration of the space for the event. Every night staff prepared the
meals for the board, staff, and volunteers getting the space ready for the event.
While volunteering that week, the finishing work of the art installation pieces for the
project was also a major priority. Participants had to run all over Brooklyn to purchase the
needed stationary and fabric that would be used for the posters. They ended up getting two big
standing posters that were used to put all the information we wanted for the two themes
mentioned earlier. One of the posters represented QTPOC people who have not contracted
HIV/AIDS. The other poster was for QTPOC people who have contracted HIV/AIDS. We also
created for the two individual posters a corresponding pillow in the shape of a pill that
represented the type of medication that would be used for each type of person. So, for the
QTPOC people who are negative a creation of a pillow in the shape of the pill Truvada was
made, which is the PrEP pill used to eliminate possible infection. For the QTPOC positive poster
a creation of a pillow in the shape of the pill Abacavir was made, which is a pill used for positive
people. These poster were displayed with their pillows the entire week of the event and went off
without a hitch. People responded well to the display, pictures were taken, and it seemed to be
really effective. They were mounted and displayed every night on or near the serving section
tables of the meals until meal service began, as this space was also needed to serve the meals,
when dinner was served to the guess. Meals were served cafeteria style, with everyone waiting in
line going down the line getting their served potions.
From Opening night to the ending of the event chaos was the theme for the kitchen staff
and while, the art pieces was the focus of the project and crowds view the pieces, being a part of

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the kitchen staff was an intrigue part of the whole event. As the crowds pour in and the viewing
of the art begins, the staff were behind the scenes cooking for at least 250 guess each night. The
art installation pieces from all the artists were the stars of the event. The space was set up like a
museum or art gallery were the guess walked around and viewed each exhibit. We were a mess
during this week and everyday something happened in the kitchen that cause us to reevaluate the
meal for that evening. As part of the event the MIX Festival feeds its guess and attendees every
night, which is all part of the plan to get more LGBTQ people to show up and view the work.
Yes, feeding people is a marketing plot, if you feed them they will come. During the week the
collaborative staff were determined and all could see firsthand the collaborative effect of so
many volunteers, board members, and staff working together to make an event happened. It takes
a whole community of networks and people to really organize an event or to rally together for a
cause. People are never alone in our pursuits and this is real lesson that is learned in participating
in this event.
End Results
There was an exit interview with the mentors about the collaborative work that was done
for the final implementation of the project. Evaluation of the success and loses experienced will
be examined. A discussion of the pros and cons and evaluation of improvements for future
collaborative projects will be the focus of the meeting. Evaluation of the disadvantages and
advantages that were experienced with the project will be examined. A discussion by the
participants of the challenges and an assessment of the target population evaluating the possible
successfulness of the art impacting changes to future sexual behavior will also be part of the
focus. Questions will include, how future public health surveillance plans can be used to help the

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QTPOC populations implement successful HIV/AIDS prevention strategies and programs in
their communities. The ultimate question is, what future changes can we expect and establish for
the QTPOC Movement as a network of organizations and communities?
Key Findings and Discussion
Outcomes
Possible outcomes/results for the project were affected by the parameters that were set by
the project administers, mentors, and nonprofit organizations involved with the producing of the
project. Typically for projects involving human subjects there is an Institutional Review Board
that approves the project that will be conducted. For this project we did not use this process, so it
is impossible to use human subjects in the actual project. This causes strain on really seeing
outcomes for the project due to not being able to collect measurable data that can provide the
evidence needed for results. There were no questionnaires, surveys, or interviews of any human
subjects. Therefore no real collectable data was able to be conducted. This is due to a
misunderstanding of the parameters of the project and its implementation methods that could be
used. This misunderstanding was a collaborative one made by the mentors and other participants
involved. The understanding was that no human subjects could be involved in the participation
of the project. No real assessment or surveillance of the target audience after the project could be
obtained in order to see the changes made by the participants of the Film Festival due to the time
frame of the project. In most studies the changes and outcomes are measurable over a significant
amount of time but in this study the project was conducted in less than six weeks. Only over a
significant amount of time can researchers see a real pattern of change on the target population
that they are conducting the research on.

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For a project involving art it is completely up to the observer to gage how it will affect
their psychological behavior leading to their actions or reactions taken due to this psyche
breakthrough. It is their interpretation of the art that will influence their perspective. The two art
pieces were utilize to impact two sides of the QTPOC population. One was resources and
continued support for LGBTQ people who are already infected with HIV/AIDS. That poster and
pillow piece was strictly displayed for the encouragement of people. To show them that they are
not alone and to hopefully further encouraged the normalcy in the disease making it even more
accepted in their culture. The second poster and pillow piece was for those who are not yet
infected with HIV/AIDS and focused on prevention and the development of PrEP, which is the
pill Truvada, used as a prevention aid for negative people who may be at higher risk for possible
infection. However, individuals interpret things in our own individualistic way and so a plethora
of outcomes of reactions and effectiveness of the message in the art pieces will be obtained.
There is no real way to assess the reactions of people in this type of forum. Instruments for
measuring the outcome was limited due to not being about I include human subjects.
Assessment and Surveillance: Communication Strategy
Psychological Effects of HIV/AIDS in African American communities exist despite
medical advancements in the fight of HIV/AIDS. The disease continues to ravish through high-
risk communities and groups. Such groups are mostly made up of low-income families,
minorities (particularly Hispanic and African Americans), and the LGBTQ communities. All of
the people represented in high-risk groups are constantly dealing with discrimination, scrutiny,
and poverty in their everyday lives, when compared to their counterparts in American society.
The constant psychological breakdown of these people contributes to the rise of the HIV/AIDS

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epidemic. According to the GILEAD website, thirty years since the first cases were reported,
HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s foremost health challenges. Approximately 30 million
people have died of AIDS, and more than 35 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS. The
epidemic disproportionately affects the developing world, where 90 percent of people with HIV
reside and the vast majority of new infections occur. HIV is a barrier to social development and
economic growth as it reduces life expectancy, destabilizes families and deepens poverty
(“Scaling up Antiretroviral Sustainably,” 2014).
The problem with HIV/AIDS it’s still an epidemic which mainly affects African
Americans and Hispanic populations; those with lower incomes and statues. According to the
article, “Framing AIDS Facts: An AIDS Education and Prevention Strategy,” “One key reason
often cited for the increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Blacks in the United States is the
lack of an immediate response by important Black institutions, most notably the Black Church”
(Harris, 2013). Harris continues explaining that, blacks are among the most religious groups in
the United States, and the Black Church not only serves as a spiritual haven for many, but it is
also an important social and cultural institution that has spoken out against injustices facing
Black people for almost two centuries. However, because of the stigmas associated with
HIV/AIDS for example homosexuality, intravenous [IV] drug use, and premarital sex,
HIV/AIDS was difficult for most Black churches to address. Subsequently, many Black churches
either shunned those with HIV, or simply ignored the epidemic not only within the congregation,
but also in the larger Black community. Within HIV/AIDS discourse, research has emphasized
the importance of presenting HIV/AIDS education and information in a culturally appropriate
manner, as doing so both increases HIV/AIDS awareness while also reduces HIV/AIDS stigma
(Harris, 2013).

21
In the article, “Lessons Learned from Use of Social Network Strategy in HIV Testing
Programs Targeting African American Men who Have Sex With Men,” it discusses how,
Approximately 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States and about 50 000 new
infections occur each year. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) remain
the most affected subpopulation. Among men having sex with men, Black MSM is
disproportionately affected. Young (aged 13---24 years) Black MSM accounted for 55% of new
infections among young MSM in 2010. There are more new HIV infections among 13 to 24 year
old Black MSM than among any other subgroup by race/ethnicity, age, and gender in the United
States. The available literature suggests that myriad individual, social, and contextual factors
contribute to the HIV rates among young black MSM (McCree et al., 2013). These factors
include factors previously mentioned in the text, which include higher background prevalence of
HIV in the community. This leads to greater chance of exposure to an infected partner despite
less risky behavior. A higher prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections, like syphilis
and gonorrhea, that might facilitate the acquisition and transmission of HIV, limited access to
treatment and health care, stigma, homophobia, discrimination, partner characteristics and risk
behaviors, and lack of awareness of individual or partner’s HIV status (McCree, et al., 2013).
In other research on the subject the article, “The Problem With the Phrase Women and
Minorities: Intersectionality and Important Theoretical Framework for Public Health,” it
summarizes that, Intersectionality is a theoretical framework that posits that multiple social
categories (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) intersect at the
micro level of individual experience to reflect multiple interlocking systems of privilege and
oppression at the macro, social-structural level for example, racism, sexism,
and heterosexism. Public health's commitment to social justice makes it a natural fit

22
with intersectionality's focus on multiple historically oppressed populations. Yet despite a
plethora of research focused on these populations, public health studies that
reflect intersectionality in their theoretical frameworks, designs, analyses, or interpretations are
rare. Accordingly, they describe the history and central tenets of intersectionality, address
some theoretical and methodological challenges, and highlight the benefits
of intersectionality for public health theory, research, and policy (Bowleg, 2012).
Recommendations and Conclusions
For the proposal and plan to really make sustainable differences in higher risk
communities a massive collective effort by many institutions, including local and state
governments, non-profits, and health organizations, and community outreach is needed. Our
nation needs to do more to see this happen. Posting posters/art displays at LGBTQ events and
social settings is only a small step in really effectively seeing changes in sexual behavior and
decreased spreading of HIV/AIDS in higher risk communities. So much destruction of the
African American race is going on in our world today. Every day we see on news, media, and
internet the distention of this particular race that only represents twelve to fourteen present of the
US population. Current campaigns such as “Black Lives Matter” and the out pour of people, like
in Minnesota, standing up for change are making strides, but it is not enough.
Recommendations include setting up community outreach programs in African
American communities located in the entire United States and continued funding to improve the
quality of life of these populations is needed. While, the proposal focuses on Brooklyn, NY and
its youth, including the LGBTQ communities, I feel strongly that the entire U. S. population
could benefit from programs tailored toward enrichment and enhancement of minority

23
communities. Outreach needs to include a full education of health issues plaguing African
American communities, like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart
diseases. Also programs should teach African Americans about real estate, investing, and
understanding retirement. Too often African Americans are not educated in how to change
poverty conditions and this is why they turn to criminal activities and other deviant
behaviors. Also, as pointed out earlier getting the community involved is also a great way to
insure change.
According to the “Anybody Can Get HIV: Man Or Woman, Gay or Straight, Young or
Old, Everybody Needs and HIV Test Brochure,” it states that, the Brooklyn Knows is a bold new
effort to help all Brooklyn residents learn their HIV status and take full advantage of the City’s
care and prevention services. The New York City Health Department is working with
community organization, clinics, hospitals, colleges, universities, faith-based organizations and
businesses to make HIV testing available to everyone in Brooklyn (“Anybody Can Get…,”
2015). Their goals include provide a voluntary HIV test for every Brooklyn resident who has
never been tested. Statistics show that in 2008, more than half a million Brooklyn residents aged
18-64 had never been tested for HIV. Other goals include identifying undiagnosed HIV Positive
people in Brooklyn and link them to care. The CDC estimates that 21% of people infected with
HIV do not know their status. Early identification helps HIV-positive people stay healthy and
HIV negative people stay safe. Lastly they want to make HIV testing a routine part of health care
in Brooklyn (“Anybody Can Get…,” 2015).
According to the Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS prevention services, from the December
2013 New York City HIV/AIDS Annual Surveillance Statistics 2012, 3141 HIV cases were

24
diagnosed in 2012. 114,926 people are living with HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS
are 79% male and 21% female. The statistics in ethnicity goes 44% were black, 32% Hispanic,
and 20% white (“Our Jurisdictions: New York Epidemiological Overview,” 2014). In their
HIV/AIDS prevention plan it discusses ways to combat the HIV/AIDS struggle in New York.
Their plan includes reducing new HIV infections in New York by at least 25% by 2015, mainly
among priority populations. They aim at decreasing risky sexual and drug-using behaviors
among persons at high risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV by optimizing health outcomes and
reducing health disparities (“Comprehensive Jurisdictional Plan for HIV Prevention in New
York City 2012-2016,” 2012).
According to their proposal, Comprehensive Jurisdictional Plan for HIV Prevention in
New York City 2012-2016, one of its ways of prevention is through community involvement.
They explain that, to maximize the involvement of HIV impacted individuals and at-risk
communities in its discussions and decision-making processes, the HIV Planning Group (HPG)
will implement new recruitment strategies beginning in the second half of 2012. Heightened
efforts will be made to ensure that full, alternate and associate members of the HPG are equipped
with the appropriate tools and have access to adequate resources that are essential to effective
engagement in HPG discussions and full knowledge about the New York City Jurisdictional HIV
Prevention Plan. Active discussions with other local planning bodies, including the New York
City Planning Council and the New York State HIV Planning Group, have already begun and
will continue on a regular basis for the remainder of this planning cycle (“Comprehensive
Jurisdictional Plan for HIV Prevention in New York City 2012-2016,” 2012).

25
Other ways of prevention and reducing the spread of HIV infection include, according to
the article, “Projections of Diagnosed HIV Infection in Children and Adolescents in New York
State,” the prevention of spread from mother to offspring. The article explains that, their model,
which is a population simulation using epidemiological data to develop short term projections of
adolescents living with diagnosed HIV infection in New York, produced annual estimates until
2014. The model predicts a decline in the number of persons aged 0–19 years living with
diagnosed HIV in New York from 2810 in 2006 to 1431 in 2014, a net decrease of 49%. Living
cases with paediatric risk continue to decrease. Cases aged 13–19 with non-paediatric risk
increase slowly, leading to a shift in the risk composition of the population (Gordon et al., 2012).

26
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