A letter from the publisher Vincent P. McCant
ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
Published on: 02/02/05

Another story about Brothers on the "DL", my immediate thought was to pass on this story, when contacted a few weeks back by Atlanta Magazine editor Chandra R. Thomas, about featuring an upcoming story about “Men on the DL in Atlanta.” I immediately thought, not again, I wish this issue would go away. I felt, as many other heterosexual men feel, that this was a tired subject, that made it even harder to date in Atlanta. With the “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” stare and stigma that many of us receive daily from women, being suspect to being to the “DL”  was just another barrier in our dating process. Despite my reservations, something in me said to listen to her and take the time to see what she had to offer. In our conversation, Chandra stated that her purpose in doing this story was to educate and not to build on the already popular story of men living on the “DL” in Atlanta. As we talked further, it became clear and apparent to me that her purpose was indeed to educate women on the dangers of HIV, Aids and to bring much needed attention to a rising epidemic we are currently facing in our community. When I met with her, to pick up an advance copy of the magazine and article, I was still a little skeptical and wondered how this story would be received again on ATLANTAHAPPS.COM.   

ATLANTAHAPPS.COM featured a similar article in our October 2003 (http://www.atlantahapps.com/brothers_on_the_DL.htm) newsletter, before the subject became so popular. To date, this page still receives some of the highest traffic counts of any page on our site.  

After reading her article, in it’s entirety on a recent trip to San Francisco, I came back to Atlanta with a new sense of awareness and purpose to educate my readers on the dangers of dealing with men on the “DL” and the dangers of not practicing safe sex. The facts are alarming and the sad part of all this, is that many of us are unaware of the below stats. Her article was not only thought provoking, it was a surreal source of information that needed to be told and shared with all. 

In my opinion, I think that the majority of men in Atlanta are “not” on the “DL,” so the information we will be providing over the next few week’s, is provided as a way to educate women and not scare women off from dating black men in Atlanta. Over the next few week’s, we will be providing different information, in regards to dating, followed by a film and discussion. We encourage everyone to go pick a copy of the latest Atlanta Magazine, on newsstands now. www.atlantamagazine.com

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that AIDS is the number one cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. Once again, AIDS is on the rise, in the United States and around the world. More women, more college students and more people over the age of 50 are at greater risk than ever before. It's really something you need to know about.

The estimated number of deaths of Americans who have died of AIDS since the disease's first appearance in the early '80s is over 500,000.

The number of new infections is estimated at 40,000/year for the past decade.

It is estimated that of the 850,000–950,000 Americans living with HIV one in four are unaware of their infection.

An estimated two-thirds of new cases come from people who are unaware that they are infected with HIV.

 

 

 

In 2000, HIV/AIDS was among the top three causes of death for African-American men ages 25–54 and African-American women ages 35–44.

 

 

 

Black women account for 72% of all the new HIV cases in women.

 

 

 

67% of black women with HIV contracted it from heterosexual sex.

 

 

 

African American women are 23 times more times likely to be infected with AIDS than white women.

 

 

 

African American men are almost nine times more likely to be infected with AIDS than white men.

 

 

 

Seniors represent an estimated 14% of total AIDS cases, and senior women represent 18% of female AIDS cases.

 

 

 

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

 

 

 

The Low Down on Atlanta’s Down Low Scene by Chandra R. Thomas - Atlanta Magazine. February 05.

We have all heard the term “the down low,” referring to African-American men who identify as being straight, but secretly engage in sexual activity with men. But do you know fluff or facts?  The reality is that black women now make up 72 percent of new HIV infections among women in the United States. According to the CDC, 67 percent of HIV-infected black women contracted it from heterosexual sex.  Some say it’s because of this “down low” trend. No matter where you stand on the issue, most agree that Atlanta is the capital for black men on the DL. If you really want to know the low down on the down low pick up the February Romance Issue of Atlanta Magazine. Journalist Chandra R. Thomas, a product of the Atlanta community and the Atlanta University Center, takes the first comprehensive look at the Atlanta’s down low scene, including….  

This is a story you won’t want to miss. Atlanta Magazine is available at most Publix, Kroger, Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores. Pick up your copy today! For more information, visit www.atlantamagazine.com

*To contact Chandra, please e-mail her at crthomas@atlantamag.emmis.com