Staying well is about more than avoiding harm. For Black LGBTQ+ youth, wellness is also about access, dignity, and having information that actually speaks to our lives. Too often, conversations about HIV and STIs show up wrapped in fear, silence, or judgment. They focus on what not to do instead of what helps us stay healthy, connected, and in control of our bodies. At TKO, we believe that prevention should feel empowering, not shaming. Knowing your options is one way we keep us safe.

HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are part of the real world, not a personal failure or a moral issue. They affect people across genders, sexualities, and communities. What makes Black LGBTQ+ youth more vulnerable is not who we are, but the barriers we face. These include stigma, medical racism, transphobia, lack of affirming care, and misinformation that spreads when accurate resources are hard to find. Naming those barriers matters, because it reminds us that needing information or support does not mean you did something wrong.

Prevention is not one-size-fits-all. For some people, it looks like regular testing. For others, it looks like condoms, PrEP, PEP, treatment, honest conversations with partners, or harm reduction strategies that meet them where they are. Many people use more than one tool, and some choose different options at different points in their lives. All of these choices are valid. The goal is not perfection. The goal is having enough knowledge to make decisions that feel right for you.

Getting tested is a form of care, not an admission of guilt. Knowing your status can bring peace of mind, open doors to treatment if needed, and help you protect yourself and others. People living with HIV can and do live long, full lives, especially with access to care. Treatment works, and when someone’s viral load is undetectable, HIV cannot be passed on through sex. That is not just science. It is liberation from fear and stigma.

We also know that navigating healthcare, especially in Alabama, can feel overwhelming. You may worry about confidentiality, cost, or whether a provider will respect your identity. Those concerns are real. You deserve care that affirms who you are and keeps your information private. You have the right to ask questions, to advocate for yourself, and to walk away from providers who do not treat you with respect. Support exists, even when the system feels stacked against you.

At its core, HIV and STI prevention is about staying well enough to live your life fully. It is about pleasure, safety, boundaries, and care for yourself and your community. You deserve information that is honest, stigma-free, and rooted in respect. This resource is here to offer tools, not rules. Take what you need, come back when you are ready, and remember that you are not alone. We keep us safe.