Black Women, the Down Low, and HIV/AIDS

Take this Quiz for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

2009-02-06T12:00:00.008-05:00

Tomorrow is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

If you are a Black woman, reading this, you should know that you are in the highest risk category for HIV/AIDS.

But are you personally at risk?

Take the Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz below to find out.
You might be surprised at the results.

Yes It COULD Happen to You

Before you dismiss this quiz, thinking “It can’t happen to me” consider this:

Unprecedented numbers of Black women are contracting HIV/ AIDS mainly from husbands and boyfriends on the down low.

It happening every day to women who least expect it – to women who had no idea their husbands or boyfriends were on the Down Low and sexually involved with other men.

It’s happening to Black women every day, everywhere, from all walks of life.
As an infidelity expert, I deal with the issue of same-sex infidelity ( better known in the Black community as the Down Low) on a daily basis.

So believe me when I say - Yes, It COULD indeed happen to you.

Especially if you’re not aware of the gaps in your knowledge about HIV/AIDS, or certain behaviors in your lifestyle that put you at risk for this life-threatening disease.

This Quiz Could Save Your Life

Before you dismiss The Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz as something that doesn’t apply to you or anyone you know, take 2 minutes quickly answer the 25 yes or no questions below to find out whether or not you could be at risk. (Isn't your life worth less than 3 minutes of your time?)

The life you save may be your own.

Share this quiz with your female friends.

The Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz
© copyright 2005 - 2008 Ruth Houston

I designed this Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz to help you identify the gaps in your knowledge and behavior in your lifestyle which might put you at risk for HIV/AIDS.

The quiz will help you pinpoint any changes you need to make in order to safeguard your health.

You could be in danger of becoming an HIV/AIDS statistic sinply because of something you just didn't know.

Take this Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz. It might surprise you to find out just how vulnerable you really are.

1. Do you know your HIV status?

2. Do you know the HIV status of your husband, boyfriend, or current sex partner(s)?

3. Do you know the HIV status of the ex partners you’ve had in the past?

4. Do you know your sex partner’s sexual history?

5. Do you know your sex partner’s true sexual orientation?

6. If you’re sexually active, do you always insist on a condom?

7. Do you still think of AIDS as a gay white male disease?

8. Are you aware that almost 70% of newly diagnosed HIV positive women are Black?

9. Are you aware that Black women are 33 times more likely than white women to be living with HIV/AIDS?

10. Do you know how to tell if your husband or boyfriend is on the down low?

11. Do you take it for granted that you’re in a monogamous relationship?

12. If your husband or boyfriend is cheating, has it occurred to you that his partner might actually be another man?

13. Do you feel you don’t have to worry about contracting HIV/AIDS because you’re married or in a committed relationship?

14. Do you believe you can tell whether or not a man is HIV positive just by looking at him?

15. Are you aware that as a Black woman, you are in the highest risk category for HIV/AIDS?

16. Are you aware that HIV/AIDS is the leading killer of Black women, ages 25-34?

17. Have you ever considered the possibility that you could be a victim of same-sex infidelity?

18. Do you believe a down low brother can be identified by the way he looks, acts, dresses or talks?

19. Are you aware that unprotected sex with an HIV positive man is the most common way for Black women to become infected with HIV?

20. Are you aware that the majority of Black men who are HIV positive have no idea they are infected?

21. Are you aware that exposure to another sexually-transmitted disease like gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia can increase your risk of getting HIV?

22. Are you aware that Blacks with AIDS have shorter life spans than people of other races who have HIV?

23. Are you aware that there is NO CURE for HIV/AIDS?

24. Are you aware that early treatment of HIV/AIDS can keep the disease from turning into full blown AIDS?

25. Are you aware that ignorance about HIV/AIDS invites infection?

© copyright 2005 - 2008 Ruth Houston, founder of http://www.infidelityadvice.com/ and http://blackwomen-thedownlow-hivaids.blogspot.com/ and http://www.downlowdozen.com/

Answer Key:

The correct answer for numbers 7,11,13,14,and 18 is no. All other answers should be yes.

Realize that even one wrong answer can put you at risk for HIV/AIDS.

The more wrong answers you have, the more at risk you are for contracting HIV/AIDS, simply because of something you may not know. Ignorance invites infection.

Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS.

Share this Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz with your female family members and friends.

By becoming more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and how it’s transmitted, and making a few changes in your lifestyle, you can avoid becoming another HIV/AIDS statistic.

Get the FREE Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet to Find Out If He’s on the Down Low

I compiled the Down Low Dozen Tip sheet as a public service to the many Black women who were requesting information on how tell if their husbands and boyfriends were on the Down Low. This FREE 2-part tip sheet describes a discreet 3-step method you can use to find out.

Part 1 of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet tells what signs to look for and what questions to ask. Part 2 of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet provides practical advice on what to do if you find out your husband or boyfriend is on the down low, how to confront him about his down low status, follow-up questions to ask, precautions to take, and how to find places to get help.

For your FREE copy, mail mailto:DownLowDozen.com with “DL Dozen-bw” in the subject line. If your man is on the Down low, you can’t afford to be the last to know. Your life and health are at stake.

The Down Low - When the “Other Woman” is Another Man

2009-01-15T00:26:00.002-05:00

The “down low” is a term used to describe the behavior of Black men who secretly have sex with other men while in marriages or relationships with other women. The men who do this do not consider themselves to be gay. The term “down low” originated in the Black community, and is used almost exclusively to describe Black men. But men of all races engage in this behavior. (Remember New Jersey governor James McGreevey?)

An Infidelity Thing
The down low is not a “black thing” or a “gay thing” – it’s an infidelity thing. The down low is basically another form of infidelity. The difference, however, is that rather than cheating with a woman, a man on the down low is cheating with another man. I prefer to call it “same-sex infidelity.”

Not an Uncommon Situation
The “down low” or “same sex infidelity is common enough to warrant its own support groups such as the Straight Spouse Network, Gay Married Men’s Association, and Wives of Bi/Gay Men, just to name a few. An estimated 2 million other couples have found themselves in this situation. There are now several books about the down low.

Health Consequences of the Down Low
The rising number of HIV cases within the African-American community, especially among Black women, has become a major cause for concern. A man on the down low who engages in unprotected sex poses a health threat to his unsuspecting female partner by putting her at risk for HIV/AIDS. J. L. King brought this to the attention of the Black community with his best selling book, On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of ‘Straight’ Black Men Who Sleep With Men. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) HIV infections are rising among Black women, who are contracting the virus through heterosexual contact.

Why Women Miss the Signs
Most women are oblivious to the fact that their man is on the down low. This typical of women with cheating husbands and boyfriends– even when the man is cheating with another woman. Most infidelity goes undetected. According to statistics, 2/3 of the women being cheated on, have no idea their man is having an affair – because they fail to recognize the telltale signs. What the majority of women don’t realize, is that most of the signs of infidelity are subtle. So women who pride themselves on knowing all the obvious signs of infidelity, usually miss the many subtle signs staring them in the face.

Detecting the Down Low
The same signs of infidelity that apply to a man who’s cheating with another woman, also apply to a man who’s cheating with another man. So first and foremost you need to have a working knowledge of what those signs are. If you’re unfamiliar with the many hidden signs of infidelity, you’re at a major disadvantage. This should be a compelling enough reason for you to familiarize yourself not just with the obvious signs of cheating, but with the countless subtle signs. Especially since the subtle signs of infidelity are the signs most women usually overlook.

This is where an infidelity book like Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs can be a tremendous help. This book lists practically every known sign of infidelity, including the signs women usually overlook. The signs are grouped into 21 major categories, so you can easily find the signs that apply to your mate. (For more information about the book, visit http://ishecheatingonyou.blogspot.com/ or click here to order a copy now.

Once you’ve established that your man is cheating, then it’s a matter of determining who he’s cheating with. Is it a woman? Or another man? In Is He Cheating on You?, Chapter 26 entitled ‘His Behavior Around Other Women’ will apply to a down low man’s behavior around other men. If he’s on the down low, the 71 telltale signs in this chapter can help you identify the man he’s cheating with.

The Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet
How can I tell if my man is on the down low? What signs should I look for? These are the two most frequently asked questions about the down low. In response to your questions on how to detect the down low and what to do about it, I’ve compiled a FREE 2-part tip sheet called the Down Low Dozen.

Part 1 of this free 2-part Down Low Dozen tip sheet describes a discreet 3-step procedure for finding out your man is on the down low, without letting him know what you suspect. Part 2 of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet contains practical advice on what to do if you find out that man is, in fact, onthe down low. It gives you tips how to confront him about his down low status, questions to ask, precautions to take, and steers you to places where you can get help. For a FREE copy of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet, e-mail DownLowDozen@gmail.com with “DL Dozen-bw” in the subject line.

Ignorance Invites Infection with Black Women and HIV/AIDS

2008-12-01T20:32:00.003-05:00

I’m convinced that ignorance is largely responsible for the high rates of HIV/AIDS among Black women. I refuse to believe that a Black women in full possession of all the facts regarding HIV/AIDS would willingly put herself at risk for HIV/AIDS.

As an infidelity expert and a Black woman, I would be remiss if I did not speak out about this issue– especially since same sex infidelity -- better known in the Black community as the “down low” is the primary way that Black women are contracting HIV. I think a major part of the problem is that many Black women are unaware of the facts about HIV/AIDS – the statistics, methods of transmission, the prevalence of the disease among Black women, and circumstance and situations in their lifestyles that put them at risk for this disease.

Far too many Black women are ignorant about these things concerning HIV/AIDS, and that ignorance invites infection.

For Black women, ignorance about HIV/AIDS can take many forms. But if you’re like most Black women, your ignorance regarding HIV/AIDS will fall into two main categories:

1. ignorance about the latest facts and statistics regarding Black women and HIV/AIDS.

2. ignorance of the circumstances in your lifestyle which could inadvertently put you at risk for HIV infection.

Let’s take a closer look at these two areas of ignorance which put Black women at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Ignorance About HIV/AIDS Facts And Statistics

● Ignorance that that HIV/AIDS is no longer a predominantly gay white male disease, but is now a predominantly Black disease, with Black women being the highest risk category.

● Ignorance that Blacks are the hardest hit of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

● Ignorance that despite the fact that Blacks account for 12 percent of the U.S. population, we represent over 50% of all HIV/AIDS cases.

● Ignorance that HIV/AIDS is now a major health crisis for Black women.

● Ignorance that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for Black women 25-34 years of age.

● Ignorance that almost 70% of all newly diagnosed HIV-positive women in the United States are Black women.

● Ignorance that 62% of women living with HIV are Black women.

● Ignorance that Black women are 33 times more likely than white women to be living with HIV/AIDS.

● Ignorance that Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV as a result of unprotected sex with men who are HIV positive.

● Ignorance that the majority of Black men who are HIV positive have no idea they are infected.

● Ignorance that exposure to another sexually-transmitted disease like gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia can increase her risk of getting HIV.

● Ignorance that Blacks with AIDS don’t live as long as people of other races who have AIDS.

● Ignorance that there is NO CURE for HIV/AIDS, but there are treatments that can help manage the disease and keep it from getting worse.

Ignorance of Lifestyle Circumstances that Put You at Risk for HIV/AIDS

● Ignorance that your husband or boyfriend is a potential source of HIV/AIDS.

● Ignorance of your sex partner’s sexual history, or his true sexual orientation.

● Ignorance that your husband or boyfriend has other sex partners, and that you are not in a monogamous relationship as you assumed.

● Ignorance that your husband or boyfriend is sexually involved with another man, and that you is a victim of same sex infidelity.

● Ignorance that the most common way for a you, as a Black woman to become infected with HIV is by having unprotected sex with a Black man on the down low.

● Ignorance about how to accurately determine if your husband or boyfriend is on the down low.

● Ignorance about your man’s HIV status – that he may be HIV positive, and may have already infected you with HIV.

● Ignorance about your own HIV status.

● Ignorance that if you are HIV positive, early treatment can keep the disease from turning into full blown AIDS.

Your ignorance in any one of the areas above can leave you open to infection from HIV.

Educate Yourself About HIV/AIDS

The best way to overcome your ignorance in these areas is to educate yourself and your sisters about HIV/AIDS. Remember - ignorance invites infection. Knowledge is power. The more you know about HIV/AIDS, and how it’s transmitted, and the lifestyle factors that put you at risk for this disease, the less likely you’ll be to engage in behavior that can jeopardize your health. It would be a tragedy if you were to become infected with HIV through no fault of your own, simply because of something you didn’t know.

Abstain, or practice safe sex.

Get tested. Know your own and your partner’s HIV status. To locate a testing center near you, visit hivtest.org or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know IT (566948).

If you are, or have been sexually involved with a man whose HIV status you don’t know, GET TESTED RIGHT AWAY. The longer you wait to find out, the worse it will be for your health later on, if it turns out that you’re HIV positive.

2 Resources to Help Overcome Ignorance About Black Women and HIV/AIDS

In an effort to combat some of the ignorance surrounding Black women, the “down low” and HIV/AIDS, I’ve compiled the following resources:

Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz
A Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz designed to help Black women identify the gaps in their knowledge and behavior in their lifestyles that put them at risk for HIV/AIDS. This quiz will help you pinpoint any changes you need to make in order to safeguard your health and reduce your chances of becoming an HIV/AIDS statistic.

The Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz can be found on my blog about Black Women, the Down Low and HIV/AIDS at http://blackwomen-thedownlow-hivaids.blogspot.com/ Take the quiz. Share it with your female friends and relatives, and encourage them to take it too. Your health, your well-being, your very life depends on being well informed. Ignorance invites infection.

The Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet
Part 1 of this free 2-part tip sheet describes a discreet 3-step procedure for finding out your man is on the down low, without the risk of looking foolish or making false accusations. Part 2 of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet provides practical advice on what to do if you find out your husband or boyfriend is on the down low, tips how to confront him about his down low status, questions to ask, precautions to take, and how to find places to get help. For a FREE copy of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet, e-mail DownLowDozen@gmail.com with “DL Dozen-bw” in the subject line. Ignorance invites infection. If your man is on the Down low, you can’t afford to be the last to know.

The Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz

2008-12-01T12:04:00.007-05:00

This HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz was designed by infidelity expert Ruth Houston to help Black women identify the gaps in their knowledge and behavior in their lifestyles which put them at risk for HIV/AIDS.

The quiz will help them pinpoint any changes they need to make in order to safeguard their health.

Does your lifestyle put you at risk for HIV/AIDS? Are you in danger of becoming an HIV/AIDS statistic because of something you don’t know?

Before you say “no,” take this Black Woman’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz for World AIDS Day. You might be surprised to find out just how vulnerable you really are.

1. Do you know your HIV status?

2. Do you know the HIV status of your husband, boyfriend, or current sex partner(s)?

3. Do you know the HIV status of the ex partners you’ve had in the past?

4. Do you know your sex partner’s sexual history?

5. Do you know your sex partner’s true sexual orientation?

6. If you’re sexually active, do you always insist on a condom?

7. Do you still think of AIDS as a gay white male disease?

8. Are you aware that almost 70% of newly diagnosed HIV positive women are Black?

9. Are you aware that Black women are 33 times more likely than white women to be living with HIV/AIDS?

10. Do you know how to tell if your husband or boyfriend is on the down low?

11. Do you take it for granted that you’re in a monogamous relationship?

12. If your husband or boyfriend is cheating, has it occurred to you that his partner might actually be another man?

13. Do you feel you don’t have to worry about contracting HIV/AIDS because you’re married or in a committed relationship?

14. Do you believe you can tell whether or not a man is HIV positive just by looking at him?

15. Are you aware that as a Black woman, you are in the highest risk category for HIV/AIDS?

16. Are you aware that HIV/AIDS is the leading killer of Black women, ages 25-34?

17. Have you ever considered the possibility that you could be a victim of same-sex infidelity?

18. Do you believe a down low brother can be identified by the way he looks, acts, dresses or talks?

19. Are you aware that unprotected sex with an HIV positive man is the most common way for Black women to become infected with HIV?

20. Are you aware that the majority of Black men who are HIV positive have no idea they are infected?

21. Are you aware that exposure to another sexually-transmitted disease like gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia can increase your risk of getting HIV?

22. Are you aware that Blacks with AIDS have shorter life spans than people of other races who have HIV?

23. Are you aware that there is NO CURE for HIV/AIDS?

24. Are you aware that early treatment of HIV/AIDS can keep the disease from turning into full blown AIDS?

25. Are you aware that ignorance about HIV/AIDS invites infection?

© copyright 2008 Ruth Houston, founder of http://www.infidelityadvice.com/ and http://blackwomen-thedownlow-hivaids.blogspot.com/

Answer Key:

The correct answer for numbers 7,11,13,14,and 18 is no. All other answers should be yes. Realize that even one wrong answer can put you at risk for HIV/AIDS. The more wrong answers you have, the more at risk you are for contracting HIV/AIDS, simply because of something you may not know.

Ignorance invites infection. Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS. Share this Black Woman's HIV/AIDS Awareness Quiz with your female friends and relatives. By becoming more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and how it’s transmitted, and making a few changes in your lifestyle, you can avoid becoming another HIV/AIDS statistic.

Find out if Your Husband or Boyfriend is on the Down Low

Get a FREE Copy of the Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet

Compiled by infidelity expert Ruth Houston, the Down Low Dozen Tip sheet is a FREE 2-part tip sheet which describes a discreet 3-step method Black women can use to find out if their husbands or boyfriends are on the “down low,” or engaging in same sex infidelity.

Part 1 tells what signs to look for and what questions to ask. Part 2 of the Down Low Dozen tip sheet provides practical advice on what to do if you find out your husband or boyfriend is on the down low, how to confront him about his down low status, additional questions to ask, precautions to take, and how to find places to get help. Get a FREE copy by e-mailing DownLowDozen@gmail.com with DL Dozen-bw in the subject line. If your man is on the down low, you can’t afford to be the last to know.