Amidst all the marriage equality fever, Joel Simkhai CEO of Grindr, wrote an article on Huffington Post informing advocates where he thinks they should focus their energy next:
Like many of you, I have been eagerly following the news about the Supreme Court hearing on marriage equality. This is undoubtedly an exciting time for our movement and I am holding my breath hoping for a historic win. It is also the time to start the community conversation about the next chapter of our movement. For me, the answer is clear: those of us in the U.S. must begin to work in solidarity with LGBTQ people around the world to improve the lives of all the members of our community.
While interesting, what seems to be troublesome is the utter disregard for issues far more important in this country that Simkhai glosses over. There are various issues that LGBTQ advocates should not leave behind before going to solve issues across the pond. About three-quarters into the article, Simkhai brings it back to discussing that there are still issues at home, yet still misses one of the most important:
…Of course we still have work to do at home. LGBTQ people in the U.S. still have no federal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations..
Although the aforementioned matters are equally important, HIV/STI infection rates are still at large, which may not just resolved by posting testing facility locations on a website and prescribing PREP.
According to a recent study in the Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections, mobile app-usage is linked to an increase in diagnosis of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Men who used apps to meet other men were about 25% more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhea compared to men who first met their partners in person. App users were also 37% more likely to test positive for chlamydia. Although HIV & syphilis appeared to have no correlation, Matthew Beymer told Reuters there may not have been enough cases of HIV or syphilis diagnosed during the study to establish a correlation.
Another study (P18 Cohort Study ) conducted by NYU which linked increased HIV rates to socioeconomic status, specifically young men who have sex with men (YMSM). The findings demonstrated the social and structural inequities that continue to drive racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infections.
Given these two studies it is quite clear where our focus should be. HIV/STI rates on the rise and a very clear association to Is the disregard for this local issue Beyond reasonable doubt, there are issues at home at the intersectionality of safe-sex, increased STI rates as a results of the apps, HIV-stigmas, STI rates as it relates to socio-economic issues, preventative programs and community healing.
Given these two studies it is quite clear where our focus should be. Together, let’s challenge Joel Simkhai’s statement. We must continue to have open and honest conversations with friends and family to resolve & heal the HIV/STI epidemic in the LGBT community. Also, we must connect with our local LGBTQ Community Based organizations to volunteer with the intention of creating conversations that promote change, especially with LGBT youth.
No one should be left behind.
