The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus (CBGMC) hosted its "United in Pride" event at the Boystown nightspot minibar July 3. The event promoted inclusion and community while advertising HIV safety and testing.
"United in Pride" was inspired in part by last year's "United in HIV" event produced and organized by Cyon Flare, a local public figure and HIV activist. While last year's event focused on engaging dialogue between HIV positive gay Black men and heterosexual Black women, "United in Pride" was intended to be an open invitation to anyone interested, regardless of race or HIV status.
Flare and CBGMC collaborated to organize an evening of entertainment while promoting free, five-minute on-site HIV tests.
Craig Johnson, board vice chair of CBGMC, explained the function of having a fun time while also promoting HIV education: "Some of this has to be fun! The statistics are already serious enough. ... We just want people to chill, and while people are chilling, just go get an HIV test."
United in Pride was the first of a number of events CBGMC has planned for the summer. To learn more, visit www.chiblackgaycaucus.org .