Michael Sam was back in St. Louis recently, as keynote speaker at National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day activities in midtown. The event, held Saturday, February 7 at the Engineers Club of St. Louis, was a joint effort by Williams and Associates, Rustin’s Place and KORE United Together.
Although Sam said the last 12 months have been a rollercoaster for the former St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys player, the first openly gay player drafted in the National Football League set an example of living his own truth.
“The decisions we make should begin and end with self-respect, dignity and self-love,” Sam told the audience. “Plus, all of the ups and downs I experienced this last year on and off the football field, none of them rival the trials and tribulations that so many African American gay men face every day living with HIV and AIDS.”
African Americans are the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a new HIV infection rate that is eight times that of whites. In 2010, 44 percent of all new HIV infections were African Americans, although they represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population. Moreover, the CDC reports young gay and bisexual men and adolescents, between the ages of 13 and 24 are most affected.
Sams added, “We need to be educated, be smart and be safe about this disease, but all of that starts with self-respect, dignity and love for each other and every one of ourselves,” Sams said. “As a black man I think I can do a better job of spreading the message to not only to the gay community but to the straight community too.
Additional activities included a brunch, panel discussion, a question-answer session about misconceptions and stigma, HIV medications, testing and resources available in the St. Louis area. The y also talked about when to disclose you HIV status in a relationship, and the importance of support by family and friends.
As for his future, Sam said he will keep working to play with the pros.
“As I stand here now as a free agent still chasing my dream, I constantly have to remind myself of the same self-love,” Sam said, “so I can get back to my pursuit of my dreams and aspirations.”
