For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2000

LOS ANGELES, CA - The report, from the January 14th issue of the Center for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, finds that HIV/AIDS cases among gay and bisexual men of color now exceed cases among white gay and bisexual men. AIDS cases among gay and bisexual men of color now represent 52% of AIDS cases, up from 31% in 1989.

"The burden of HIV/AIDS on people of color in Los Angeles County is even more acute," said Craig E. Thompson, Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles. "60% of APLA’s clients and 58% of people living with AIDS in the County are minorities."

"Historically, gay men with AIDS have faced homophobia and AIDS-phobia. Increasingly, these irrational fears are compounded by racism," according to Thompson.

The findings from the CDC report also suggest that African-American and Latino men are becoming infected at an earlier age than white men. This trend, the CDC reports, makes it imperative to reach men of color with HIV prevention messages at a younger age.

"The need for fully funded and culturally competent prevention services to address these issues-- especially for youth most at risk -- is more urgent than ever," Thompson added.

AIDS Project Los Angeles provides direct services to more than 8,000 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County.

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