Introducing Pride

Greater Than AIDS is proud to introduce “Pride,” a new initiative to engage and inform gay and bi-sexual men.

Gay and bisexual men account for about half of all Americans living with HIV/AIDS today and are the only risk group among which new infections are on the rise. According to a recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five (19%) men who have sex with men (MSM) in major U.S. cities today are HIV-positive — and as many as half of those who are infected don’t know it.

Presented under the Greater Than AIDS: Pride brand, public service messages feature gay and bisexual men from all walks of life, including those living with HIV, sharing personal Deciding Moments that have affected how they think about the disease and inspired them to get involved. Among those profiled are Andre and Albert, a couple committed to staying HIV negative; Duane, an HIV positive man whose father died of AIDS-related complications 26 years ago; and Jon, who battled addiction after testing positive for HIV, but has since taken control of his life and his health. The new campaign was previewed at this year’s Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party: WATCH.

In addition, Here Media and LOGO TV, two of the world’s largest media companies reaching the gay community, have joined with Greater Than AIDS as part of the “Pride” campaign to reach gay and bisexual men with messages and information about HIV/AIDS and related issues. These multimedia partnerships include expanded editorial in Here Media’s iconic brands — including Gay.com, OUT, The Advocate, and HIV Plus — as well as special programming on LOGO Television.

Greater Than AIDS: Pride is also working with local lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered (LGBT) media companies, AIDS service organizations, and public health departments across the country to mobilize communities and link audiences to resources. A new web portal, old.greaterthan.org/pride serves as the campaign’s referral and provides targeted information and resources for gay and bisexual men.

For more about Greater Than AIDS: Pride check out this op-ed by David Furnish, Chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, a supporting partner of Greater Than AIDS.