In Honor of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day By: Tevin Mathew
Posted: June 11, 2026
Every year, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities are reported to have some of the lowest rates of HIV diagnoses in the United States. These communities, however, also have some of the lowest rates of HIV testing. According to AIDSVu, Asian individuals had the lowest testing rates among all races and ethnicities in 2021. HIV-related data surrounding API populations captures only pieces of the overall puzzle. Barriers to testing, including stigma, language access, and culturally-informed education, prevent API individuals from getting the care they need. These reportedly low rates then lead to less culturally-tailored services that serve API communities, thus feeding a cycle of disparities.
Growing up as a gay Christian Indian cis man in Mississippi, I never saw my identities represented around me or in the media. Working within HIV prevention in Memphis revealed a lack of API representation in queer spaces and in the HIV field in the South. API communities are tight-knit, and identifying as LGBTQ+ is highly stigmatized, which prevents individuals from seeking sexual health services due to the risk of being “outed.” At the same time, our communities are not monolithic. We embody beautiful cultures encompassing diverse histories, languages, religions, etc. that pose unique challenges to accessing HIV-related services. Our cultural diversity can also lead to unique opportunities for promoting HIV prevention and treatment.
Visibility matters. In honor of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I urge you to revisit your community-based outreach strategies, HIV messaging, and research methodologies. The contributions of Black American and Latine LGBTQ+ communities serve as the blueprint from which we can adapt. Additionally, empowering gay API men, such as through the Gay Men of Color Fellowship, builds capacity for sustainable culturally-relevant initiatives. Through these collective efforts, we can strengthen solidarity to end the HIV epidemic across all communities.HIV self-tests allow you to test on your own time and get results in your own space. To receive a free kit delivered at your door, click here: https://lnkd.in/dC3fDPqM