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Exclusive: Billy Porter on coming out at the height of the AIDS crisis

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Sean Black

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In the vibrant lights of fame, where many are praised for his or her talents, few are as loved and revered for his or her truths as for his or her art as Billy Porter. Whenever he speaks, his words sound like an anthem. He goes through life with the belief that authentic living is just not only about courage, but in addition about survival. Porter is a strong voice for marginalized communities, a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. His life’s work is rooted in the intersection of identity, faith and activism, where he strives to create lasting change and uplift others by sharing his story.

In August, I had the opportunity to fulfill the winner of Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards at the festival Vision Church in Atlanta. In cooperation with Elton John AIDS Foundationwas there to talk with Black faith leaders, including Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III, founder of the Vision Community Foundation, about reducing the stigma related to HIV. Georgia is one of the states, together with Florida, Texas and Louisiana, where the Foundation funds programs resulting from the alarming rate of latest transmissions.

Exclusive: Billy Porter on Coming Out at the Peak of the AIDS Crisis – 'It Was About Taking My Power Back'
Ashley Cobb for Essence Magazine interviews EJAF Ambassador Billy Porter during a partner visit to the Vision Community Foundation and church in Atlanta, Georgia. The Elton John AIDS Foundation funds the church’s “Preaching from the Pulpit” outreach initiative to lift awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst the faith community affected by HIV/AIDS at increased risk resulting from socioeconomic and systemic barriers affecting the Black LGBTQ+ community in USA South.

During our conversation, Porter shared more about his journey – coming out in the Nineteen Eighties at the height of the AIDS crisis, his complicated relationship with faith, and the work he does with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to uplift marginalized communities, especially in the South. On National Coming Out Day, Porter’s story is a reminder of the power of visibility, faith and the courage to take up space without feeling embarrassed.

The star got here to light in 1985. For many, this time was marked by fear, stigma and death. But for Porter, it was also a call to motion. “We immediately went to the front line to fight for our lives,” he recalls. “For me, coming out wasn’t nearly declaring my sexuality – it was about taking back my power. “Silence equals death.” This phrase: “Silence equals death” comes from the times he worked with Act upa world grassroots group founded in 1987 to “end the AIDS pandemic.” This is a slogan that continues to be relevant to him.

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“The dehumanization of queer people continues to occur because of silence,” Porter says, echoing a message from a long time ago. For him, National Coming Out Day is about breaking that silence. “Coming out is about stopping being silent. It requires responsibility – both on the part of those who hear the information and those who transmit it,” he says. “We need to come out so that we know who our allies are and who are not, so that we can understand how to validate and save ourselves.”

As a first-generation activist in the post-civil rights movement, Porter has at all times been determined to talk truth to power. “I only know how to fight for justice,” he says. Porter’s platform as an artist has played a key role in his activism. Whether through music, acting or writing, Porter uses his talents to spark dialogue about social justice, particularly in the fight against HIV, which he was diagnosed with in 2007. His work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the most personal extensions of that mission. “It’s a gift and a blessing to be in this place,” she says of her collaboration with the nonprofit organization. As an envoy for the foundation, Porter is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical HIV programs, especially in the South, a region disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, especially in Black communities.

“The most important thing is mobilization,” explains Porter. “And at the heart of it is the Black Church. That’s where most of us are. Much of our trauma comes from here, but change can happen there too. The foundation works to train religious leaders to better understand and support their congregations, particularly around issues related to HIV and sexual health. “I didn’t know such a work was being created,” he admits, “but I’m very moved.”

Exclusive: Billy Porter on Coming Out at the Peak of the AIDS Crisis – 'It Was About Taking My Power Back'
Sean Black

One of the most profound points of Porter’s journey is his relationship with faith. Raised in the Pentecostal church, his early years were stuffed with each a love of community and the sting of rejection. “I was taught that who I was was sinful and that my existence was an abomination,” he says. At just five years old, his family sent him to a psychologist resulting from concerns about his “queerness.” His mother remarried shortly thereafter, and Porter endured years of sexual abuse from his stepfather, a trauma to which the church community turned a blind eye.

“I was cursed in hell and there was no responsibility for the man who molested me,” he recalls with pain but in addition with extraordinary perseverance. Porter was 16 years old when he left the church, but despite spiritual and familial abandonment, he never completely abandoned his spiritual connection. “I had to separate religion from spirituality,” he explains. “I have always been spiritual. I took what was good from the church and applied it to my ministry as I walk in the world.”

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For the first time in over three a long time, Porter feels at home in church again – due to Vision Church, a queer-affirming space that seeks to bridge the gap between faith and the LGBTQ+ community. “From today on, I have a church home,” says Porter, overwhelmed by the love and authenticity of the community. Vision Church’s uncompromising embrace of queerness allowed him to regain his faith, bringing his spiritual journey full circle. He sang his song “Boldness” with members of the church choir, which focuses on authenticity, “the courage to show yourself honestly,” as the text says.

Exclusive: Billy Porter on Coming Out at the Peak of the AIDS Crisis – 'It Was About Taking My Power Back'
EJAF Ambassador Billy Porter performs at Black Global Pride at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia with the Vision Cathedral Choir and the Vision Community Foundation, one of the foundations Elton John AIDS Foundation has partnered with the Vision Community Foundation to create a training for faith leaders, “Prevention from the Dashboard” to cut back HIV-related stigma in faith-based communities, particularly in Southern Black communities.

Throughout our conversation, one thing is abundantly clear: Billy Porter lives fully, freely and unapologetically. The day after the meeting, he took the stage in Atlanta, making that clear by headlining the Global Black Pride event, held for the first time in the U.S.

“For the first 25 years of my life I tried to be someone else,” he says. “I’ll be that someone now…without apology.” It’s a reminder that representation matters, whether it’s on the red carpet or in church. Showing yourself fully is an act of love and resistance. And as we rejoice National Coming Out Day, his message is empowering to anyone who has ever felt the have to hide their identity: “Come out so you can live freely. This way you can know who loves you for who you are. Because this is where healing begins.”

As the actor and singer continues to encourage through his art and activism, he also strives to depart behind a legacy of love, truth and resilience. It stays a beacon for many who wish to live without fear. “I spent years hiding who I was,” Porter recalled. “Now I live out loud, because that’s the only way I can be free.” His work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation is only one chapter in his ongoing mission to fight for marginalized people and ensure everyone has a likelihood to live – and love – openly.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Odra situation around the world: less vaccinations and more explosions

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The US has registered their first death from the Oder since 2015. This week, because a baby who was not vaccinated died in the Odra eruption in Texas.

Usually, most American cases are delivered to the country by individuals who traveled abroad. Until now, Texas officials have reported 124 cases. New Mexico reported nine.

Experts point to a decrease in vaccination indicators from the Odra around the world since the Covid-19 pandemic. In the United States, most of the states are currently below 95% of the vaccination threshold for preschoolers – the level needed to guard the community from the Oder’s explosions.

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Great Britain reported 2911 confirmed cases of the Oder in 2024, the highest variety of cases recorded yearly, from 2012.

The cases of the Odra in the United States last yr were almost twice as much as for all 2023, raising concerns a few child virus preventive. Health officials confirmed the cases of measles in a minimum of 18 states in 2024, including New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.

“Odra is a threat everywhere anywhere,” say American Center for Disease Control on its website.

Here is a brief have a look at the global situation of the Oder.

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Are the Odra explosions common outside the USA?

According to the World Health Organization, about 10.3 million people were infected in 2023 and 107,500 died. Most of them are unvaccinated people or children under the age of 5. Cases were most frequently partly of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where the income is low and health services insufficient.

In places where measles were largely eliminated, cases spread by travelers from other countries.

While the measles related to the Odra decreased barely in 2023, the variety of epidemic increased. The primary explosions took place in 57 countries in 2023, including India and Indonesia, Russia, Yemen and Iraq. The largest variety of cases in 2023 was 311,500 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What is the impact of vaccinations?

The global childhood vaccination rate has dropped in recent times, to 83% in 2023 from 86% in 2019, partly as a consequence of vaccination and healthcare disturbances as a consequence of pandemic.

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WHO estimates that vaccinations have helped to forestall over 60 million deaths around the world in the years 2000–2023, as shots increase to extend arrows for more people. In 2000, it’s estimated that 800,062 people died of measles. Before introducing the vaccine in 1963, the primary epidemics caused about 2.6 million deaths a yr.

Odra is so infectious that 95% immunity is required to forestall an epidemic, says WHO. In other words, he infects about 9 out of 10 people revealed in the event that they shouldn’t have immunity.

What international efforts are in the means of stopping an epidemic?

WHO and others support the effort called “Agenda Immunization 2021-2030” to press the Odra elimination.

Independent experts announced America -free America in 2016, but this status was lost in 2018 as a consequence of the Odra epidemic in Brazil and Venezuela. Experts say that reduced vaccination indicators undermine efforts to completely eliminate the disease.

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Global health organizations and other groups have increased their efforts to speed up vaccination programs and closure of gaps in prevention.

Shaboozey's

(Tagstranslat) receiving measles

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Nangs are popular among young people. But do they be aware of serious damage to nitric oxide?

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Nitrogen oxide – also often known as laughter gas or nang – is affordable, widely available and popular among young people.

However, he often flies under the radar in public health programs and academic conditions. For example, this shouldn’t be included within the drug education curriculum in Australian schools.

IN Our recent studyWe talked to young people (aged 18 to 25) who used nitrous oxide. We discovered that they are not aware of their risk – even when they reported symptoms equivalent to “cerebral fog” and convulsions.

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What is nitrogen oxygen?

Nitrogen oxide is often used for sedation and soothing pain in dentistry and delivery.

Gas, which has no color or taste, can be used recreationally and is often known as Nangs, Nose, Whippits and Balloons.

In fact, nitrogen oxide was used Stay intoxicated since its creation in 1722 and was not utilized in the operation until 1842. It can create a sense of dissociation from the body, changes in perception and euphoria. It lasts a few minute.

In Australia, nitrogen oxide is affordable and available. This is because gas can be used in bakingFor example, to kill the cream.

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So, although the sale of nitrogen oxide for recreational use shouldn’t be legal, canisters or “bulbs” are widely available online via 24-hour delivery services.

People normally unload gas to a balloon or whipped cream dispenser, after which inhale. Nitrous oxide It is very cold – minus 40 degrees Celsius.

People inhale gas with a balloon.
Drop/Shutterstock Ink

How is that this common?

We still haven’t got much data about who uses nitrous oxide and the way often. Compared to other drugsThere are minimal research on its recreational use.

However, scientists consider that they are becoming increasingly often around the globe, especially among young people.

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For example, in 2022, nitrogen oxide was the second most significant controlled substance among 16-24 years in Great Britain cannabis.

In January 2023, the Netherlands forbade the sale and possession of nitrous oxide After 1800 road accidents, including 63 fatal accidents, were related to medicines over three years.

. Global drug examination reported to double the use of nitrogen oxide in 2015–2021, from 10% of respondents to 20%. But this voluntary survey shouldn’t be representative for all people using drugs. Although this means the use of nitric oxide of people, the image stays heterogeneous.

What are the health hazards?

Nitrogen oxygen shouldn’t be essentially the most harmful drug, however it Does not do it protected.

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Inhaling the nitrous oxide has short -term health threats, on this:

The use of a great amount of nitrous oxide may cause fainted (due to lack of oxygen) and seizures. Calling an ambulance is obligatory if this happens.

Long -term health problems may include:

  • Loss of vitamin B12 (causing the numbness of the hands and feet and ultimately paralysis)

  • Urinary incontinence

  • strokes

  • Memory loss

  • Mental health conditions, including depression and psychosis.

Availability of much larger canisters (including flavor varieties) can be related to Increase in significant damage. They can provide about 70 times more nitrous oxide as traditional small canisters.

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Larger bulbs allow people to eat more gas at the identical time and sometimes experience health problems more because of this.

However, it continues to be limited knowledge About nitrous oxide within the healthcare system. This implies that his health threats are often found because they are omitted by people assessing diseases and since people deny its use.

A man's hands holding a large laughing gas canister.
Large gas canisters mean that folks eat far more nitrous oxide directly.
Joshua Snow/Shutterstock

Our research

During the primary stage of our 2025 Australian StudyWe conducted interviews with seven young people (aged 18 to 25) who used nitrogen oxygen at the very least ten times.

While the number of interlocutors was small, the stories they told were very similar.

They weren’t aware of the potential risk of drug or not taken over. This happens despite their very own experiences of psychological and physical problems.

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They reported that they were becoming unconscious, burning out of gas on their hands and faces, wounds across the mouth, and even having attacks.

Particular fears were to use before driving, because people didn’t recognize the persistent effect of gas on concentration.

Our study participants also talked about “memory staples” or “brain fog”. Regular use of nitrous oxide influenced people’s ability to take part in work and study, and a few claim that it was also harmful to their mental health.

These problems of pondering are a disturbing side effect. However, this has not been properly examined.

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The role of social media

Movies of young people using nitrogen oxide can be easily found on social media. This not only indicates its popularity, but suggests that social media can be a superb place to reach young people Drug information and damage reduction.

In the second stage of our research, we worked with 30 young individuals who used nitrous oxide to co -create damage reduction resources.

As a gaggle, we’ve got developed movies, photos and text for ours Social media accounts specific to nitrous oxide on TIK TOK I Instagram and to posts on different Sub-Reddits.

They describe ways to use more safely. For example “Take a breath“Messages suggest respiratory nitrous oxide for just ten seconds directly to ensure enough oxygen. “Sit down“He advises to sit while using Nang to avoid the autumn of injuries.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Dwyane Wade removed 40 percent of the kidneys due to the tumor tumor

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Dwyane Wade reveals that he has removed 40 percent of the kidney due to the tumor tumor

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Beloved was the NBA star, the entrepreneur and host of the Dwyane Wade podcast revealed on Thursday, January 30 that the tumor removed from the kidney, which was ultimately Rakowy. He revealed this in the latest episode of his podcast ,.

The retired NBA guard, who had just turned 43 in January, had to remove 40% of the right kidney 13 months ago. For the first time he publicly shared this experience, leaving his fans stunned when he described intimately what led him to surgery. In the episode, shared only PEOPLEWade said that the diagnosis occurred after years, when he avoided very much physical. He also opened the experience of his father with prostate cancer and the way it motivated him to see a physician when he realized that he had stomach problems, cramps and slow urination.

“In the process of checking, for example:” Why was my pee slowly, why is my stream not powerful? Why is it a bit weak? ” – he remembered that he was wondering.

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An entire scan of the body showed that there was a “cyst/tumor” on one of its kidneys. “And the doctor said:” You will need to have kidney surgery, “he said.

After receiving several other opinions from trusted experts, Wade agreed with the diagnosis and decided to undergo the surgery on December 18, 2023. After removing almost half of his left kidney, the content was tested and it was established that the tumor was cancerous. The NBA master was comprehensible that he was an experience and said that he resisted his family for support.

“My own journey to have this operation, I think that for the first time my family, my dad, my children, saw me poorly”, he divided sensitively. “This moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life.”

He continued: “When I was alone, I fought, a dog.”

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“As a man, you never want your family to be weak,” he added. “I don’t want to be perceived weak, I don’t want to be seen in my weakest moments, but I had to.”

He looks back at his decision to perform the operation and is grateful that he did it. “I had a personal decision and what it was:” If it’s cancerous, if this tumor, this cyst is cancerous, on the kidney, you might be 41 years old, you almost certainly need surgery, since it needs to be removed in order that it doesn’t spread, “Wade shared.

No further details about the current health status of the athlete’s health have been made available. But we’re glad that Wade is in a significantly better place and uses his platform to encourage others to perform control and listen to their bodies.

“Cancer 1 stage … These words hit hard,” he wrote on Instagram. “December 2023 meant a loss of 40% of my kidney. It’s a terrifying thing. My dad’s health journey taught me a proactive importance. Fjienica, this episode @Wynetwork is personal. This is my story, reminding the forehead of your fears, determining health priorities and checking. We never know what others are fighting. “

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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