The Silent HIV Crisis Sweeping the American South 

The anonymous guy’s interview made me cringe. I try not to judge but dang. The fact that he KNOWS he likes men but wants a wife and kids because of it being “the right thing to do” is scary. Ladies, be careful out here.

$4 Billion to Israel each year and Mississippi only has one HIV clinic... Immoral...!

I honestly don’t understand how someone can watch the WHOLE video and still spread hate it the comments. It just amazes me

1. Big issue is people being afraid to know their status. That needs to be tackled. 2. For women, don’t be afraid BEFORE SEX of just asking those cringe questions and telling your partner you want them to get tested. Shit get tested together. Nothing wrong can come from knowing!

How sad this is for all concerned....PLEASE PROTECT YOUR BODY IT''S THE ONLY PLACE YOU HAVE TO LIVE!

It can happen to any one of us, always protect yourself. god bless.

The reason I just drink alone at home and only watch tv... Rather be boring than dead..

Because Aids is not talked about like in the 90s people feel it's not there, well it is!! We need to put it back in the light!! It's not just a "gay thing " it's a everybody thing!!

What bothers me, these are young men. These men have not reached 25 yet. I hate this happened to them! This is keeping me informed.

This is the beauty of the vice channel yet I don't know why you guys come on here wit the hateful comments. Vice covers different lives and give you different perspectives yet a lot of u guys want to shit on the black gays with the racist immature comments, I'd think you were an open minded individual to had have subscribe to this channel. I know this is the Internet but still this is someone's life here have a little morality to yourself. Put yourself in these guys shoes they didn't ask for this lifestyle. Be real for a min could you imagine being *black*, *gay* and *hiv* *positive* in the south at that?

I wish the best for all of these men. Just because you make one mistake doesn’t mean you’re not human anymore. Much love

🤭 I love VICE! Always spreading light on undercover issues! 🙌🏾🙌🏾

I am Praying for all of you life isn't over keep taking your meds and Stay Strong God Bless You ALL 🙏

No Glove, No Love. Point blank period.

These Beautiful beings are sooooo young 😭😭😭 and 1 in 2 is an INSANE statistic! My God have mercy 🙏🏾

Grateful they're still praying despite being preached down at at church. Yes God delivers and heals, but there is a starting point. People must be loved and welcomed.

I bet $10 that most of these men contracted the disease from DL men. That's the real problem, guys on the DL who are afraid to disclose or are in denial. They often have a wife or gf that they are putting at risk as well. It's sad, honestly.

It amazes me the amount of judgemental people who comment about others situation without even meeting them. We all live different lives with good and bad things, choices, experiences and situations. These sort of documentaries should be about learning what other people live through, but all they do is open the gates to bigots and trolls.

The guy with the glasses I'd love to get in touch with him to let him know how amazing he is . No one should be told the things he has been told . Honey you are enough

A few minutes of gratification is not worth catching some STD out there 🤔

I have been a CNA for 16 years. I have taken care of persons with all kinds of illnesses. I would love to open a place or community to help LGBT Community from everywhere necessary. That's my plan!

I have been hiv-positive for 30 years so I no and understand with the stigma that goes with it but I am blessed everyday to be here. I have gotten to the point where I just don't care who knows I'm the one who has to deal with this no one else I am very pleased to know and understand victims of being hiv-positive talking about it.

This is a really well made documentary. I'm so glad I watched it.

Such a very sad documentary, I pray all in the state of Mississippi find more people who don’t judge like the people in this video x

It's time to discuss the DL gay dudes too..

All these people saying strap up and u won't get Hiv. That's part of it but what about men and women in relationships and their partner is having sex with other people? Some people trust their partner so having sex without a condom is the normal. The better thing to say is be weary of who you are having sex with..no matter what. I pray for all these ppk affected by this disease.

Get tested and make your significant other get tested every few months even if your married. Stand firm it’s your body !

Thanks for showing the negative/dark side of living with HIV. It's almost too much to watch without getting teary-eyed. Good job!

Very brave people for sharing their stories.🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾💜💜💜🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾💜💜💜🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Mississippi is one of the most "religious" states in the U.S. however one of the most heinous acts/crimes of modern times occurred there with a 14 year old boy named Emmitt Till...And the 2 men who committed that crime, LITERALLY got away with murder!!!Go figure! SMH!

Lord Bless these people and anybody dealing with this disease and any other disease. Lord fill their bodies with your healing light! 🙏🏾 Amen

We’re all human. I love people, and I pray that they are all healed and restored in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Looks like the trolls are out in force today. Good documentary Vice. Guess any mention of race or gay gets people all riled up, they must be feeling defensive.

I'm a white South African woman who does HIV and trauma counselling. Your bravery is admirable. May you stay healthy and live a long happy life.

Thank you vice for putting this video up. My heart goes out to those guys. This was definitely not on the news. At the end the day they are human and should have the right to proper heath care just like anybody else. I do wish all those guys the best.

All i wanna say is : don't go to Atlanta looking for a "man"!

I just want to say that anyone that’s watching this that is HIV+ you are so valued and loved. I hope that everyone can take away from this documentary that at the end of the day we are humans deserving of love. These black men are so strong for speaking up about what they’ve been through and I’m just so full of love for each one of them. I pray that they all live full and beautiful lives and never shy away from who they are. I love you and hope that you continue to power on. ❤️

This problem is detrimental to the entire population not just Jackson,MS. This should be a public health emergency.

Makes me want to move there and work in one of the centers. Very sad to see people suffering like this.

Sheeew, it’s 2021 and the ignorance in some of these comments is astonishing. These beautiful souls have so many strikes against them: they are black (minorities) gay men who are poor. They have more courage than some of us could ever muster up. The Dr. in this documentary is really doing God’s work. We are supposed to be helpers one of another. God bless every single one of these souls 🙏🏾

Looking at the comments..what ever happened to empathy/sympathy man? Obviously I don't agree with multiple sexual partners/ unsafe sex, etc., that shit is stupid dumb. But these guys messed up. That's the past, can't people just say "Damn poor kid, hope he pulls through". Put the hate aside, hate aside there ain't shit you can say.

It seems that sexual education in Mississippi needs to be reformed desperately

Internalized shame is a huge public health issue. People need to realize that’s how racism, sexism, and homophobia effects bottom lines and the overall health of us all.

The young man who is gay but said he wants a wife and kids. I’m so sad that he can’t live authentically. I live in Las Vegas and Mississippi seems 100 years behind the times.

this looks like a second world country, but it is the usa.

I just wish the world could be a better place where we could find cures to all this bullshit

Great documentary!!!! I took a lot of courage for the participants in this video to share their lives and bring awareness to disparities that individuals living with HIV face. Kudos!

I'm glad to see they are remaining positive through all this. Praying for each of these guys.

Thank you Vice for this documentary. It opened my mind and heart to the gay community and HIV. May they find the courage to live healthy and wholesome lives, and may the people in their lives remember that true love conquers everything.

My heart really breaks for these people. I know they made unwise choices and rolled the dice, but they’re still human beings, & we all make mistakes. I wish I could give them all a huge hug. My thoughts & prayers are with them.

These men are so brave. I hope they continue to live healthy and happy lives!

Brave men! It breaks my heart that this situation is going on. Also we need to get rid of stigma around HIV and support those who are suffering in silence.

Anyone diagnosed with this, know that you do not deserve this. And I'm sorry that it happened to you for whatever reason. I hope you've found a good doctor and taking meds on regular basis. Love&light to everyone out there. Namaste 🙏🏼!

First, my heart goes out to all of these men. As a gay man, I can understand the prejudice we can face. However, I'm a white male living in Toronto, and I'm definitely not obviously gay (not sure how to say that without sounding like an total jackass). I'm HIV negative, BUT, HIV plays a huge role in my life. As a 48 year old guy, I've lost dozens of friends to this rotten disease, each one just destroyed me. I found myself in the role of protector. The hate and cruelty my friends faced was unbelievable, but I refused to let it happen (I'm 6' tall and solid muscle, not many will challenge me when I'm pissed off). I've fought many battles, both emotional, and physical, to protect those I love. My black friends who were HIV+ had the worse experiences over my white friends who were positive as well. Back in the 80's and 90's, we didn't have the rights and freedoms we now enjoy. We faced open discrimination on a daily basis, I did a lot of fighting, but everyone needs a champion to help them, and it was the only thing I could do to save my loved ones from the hell they faced. I still have several friends who are positive, and granted, at least here in Toronto, we now have every possible right and freedom we could ever want, yet despite that, they still face discrimination and hate. Thankfully, most of my positive friends still living, have access to the medications and health care for free (we all have free health care in Canada). With modern drugs, it's been taken off the terminal diseases list and is now considered a chronic disease, because there are no limits to life spans with HIV anymore. My dear friend Billy, has been positive, and has hep B and C (he was kicked out of his home after coming out when he was only 17, came to Toronto, and was homeless. He was lured into prostitution and drugs, and spent 10 years of his life in hell, which was how he contracted his diseases). But, it's been over 25 years, and he's still healthy, and happy because of the meds we now have access to. I've been in a monogamous relationship for the past 28 years, so I was lucky that we weren't single, and having multiple partners. BUT...I know, more then any of you could ever know how it feels to be discriminated against because of an invisible disease/disability. Since I was 20, I've been battling Crohn's disease and colon cancer. I've died for 2 minutes, and died nearly twice more. I've had 22 surgeries, with #23 in two weeks. They've surgically removed my rectum, entire large bowel, and almost all of my small bowel over the years. I also have chronic depression and anxiety, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, plus many other chronic illness. I was forced to retire two years ago because of my health, but like having HIV, because you can't see it, I'm accused of faking it all the time. Sorry for the long spew, but I just wanted to say why I understand what you're going through. But even in the worst of times, I've learned to tell those who discriminate , to go fuck themselves. No one has the right to judge you, and it's none of their business. I live my life the way I want, and they don't like it, then that's their problem. It took me years to get the courage and strength I now have, but I think this applies to everyone who suffers from a chronic illness. Be proud of who you are, be true to yourself, and to hell with what the world says or thinks, because at the end of the day, we're the ones who have to live with ourselves. And by the way, to those guys who think they're ugly...seriously? Trust me, you're NOT ugly, at all, you're all really good looking guys (I've always had the hots for black guys). I wish you all the best, and although I'm a total stranger, if you need to talk, I'm here, just PM me, sending love and hope to you all ❤️

I am doing a research about this as we speak.great documentary very informative also huge amount of respect and solidarity to all those effected and still fighting and staying strong🙌🏽

Loosing my brother even though certified HIV AIDS Health Educator really hit home.He didn't want to fight with the meds or sideaffects.Once he passed he helped me even through his death with forgiveness.RIP K

This is beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time. Thank you for sharing

16:10 the makings of a DL husband, father. It's sad he didn't realize he could possibly be with a female until after engaging in unprotected infected sex with another male. Many women will not even entertain a man that has had sex with another man which leads to more secrecy and cover-up lies. It's almost a lose-lose..just be gay and live a healthy lifestyle.

Wow... I can respect people when they are open and honest about it.. Sharing information for awareness is a wonderful thing. May God bless them...

This segment touched my heart.

Here's the deal. It's not about condoms... These men hide and are sexual in secret. They are raised to believe that it has to be that way for their safety. Now because of this and a lack of public health access and education...a lot of them don't know much about HIV at all, most of them have no sexual education of resources to allow them to be open and honest, respect themselves and be advocates for the ones younger than them. My heart breaks for any LGBT person who feels oppressed, especially in the southern states. Some of these men were scared to even go to the dr to get tested because of the strong stigmas attached to it in those areas. You don't have to relate to see the hurt and pain in these men's eyes to know that a) sexuality isn't a choice b) they need help and they do embrace it when they have access to it. Being open minded is key and being compassionate for those in need should always exist. Don't judge before you really take the time to learn someone else's true reality, and help them if you can! Much love and health to the brave men on this video to put their lives out there like this. 💯

It’s crazy that most of the hateful comments are from my fellow black women. But these are the same ones who uses the black gay male as an accessory, using their slang.

DL is for real…I will never forget seeing one of my best friends (who was then a college age black man who was ‘out’) introduce me to a slightly older black man he was messing with and walking back to the dude’s car to see that he had a baby seat in the back seat…my friend then told me the guy was married!!! this was in the late 80s when aids was still a death sentence…it made me sick to my stomach and my friendship with my best friend was damaged after that …just completely irresponsible and callous to engage in that type of behavior…

My heart goes out to these men, they seem to be some of the nicest bunch of people you could ever meet.

It's 2016 and we still lack empathy for our brothers who are on a path different from our own. Bless the oppressed and the fearful oppressors.

I feel sorry for these men but please just use protection. It's sad to see people throwing their life away for just a few minutes of pleasure.

I want to remember all LGBT people who died during the fight of this disease, you won’t be forgotten ✊🏾

Sometimes the US look like a third world country.

For women, one of the greatest dangers is men and marriage.

Thank you doctor and assistants for what you guys are doing to help. This is really sad. #bighearts #helpinghands

To all of you preaching to wear condoms. May those of you who have never had unprotected sex cast the first stone. Stop judging these men. They are bravely telling their story

Great documentary, touching stories.

it can happen to anyone but certain lifestyles can put you in higher risk

Bless all of you. I worked in Hiv research and services for years. Please just take care of your health. Stop smoking, drink very little to no alcohol and eat well to support your immune system.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

Excellent documentary.

God Bless their souls. My thoughts are with you all. You are brave and strong & you are the shit beautiful young man!

I live in Canada and I don't understand why Americans don't want free health care?

Very brave for sharing their stories. I bet it was difficult since their families and communities aren't very supportive.

This breaks my heart sending healing prayers 🙏🏾

What does racism, low income, and lack of health care have to do with someone putting on a condom?

These comments are disgusting, seriously cannot understand how people can be so heartless. My heart goes out to all these brave people in this video. 😢

That 19 y/o is so cute and open minded. Hope he stays clean and their relationship can flourish.

So many ppl have a problem with men being on the dl but are the same ppl that shame gay ppl. Y’all aren’t making them comfortable enough to come out without backlash dummies!!

They all were beautiful people with beautiful souls.

This the American CNN will never show u.

Heart Breaking. I hope they find the strength to heal and stay strong ❤️

God this is so absolutely heart wrenching 😭

Such sweet young men. So sad they were so abused and so hurt. You are SOMEONE!

They need to release the CURE already. And it should be issued out for free. I pray they continue their recovery and never give up on your health. NO MATTER WHAT PLEASE FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!

I'm watching this and I'm overwhelmed with compassion for these young men. Jesus loves you no matter what. Know that. Even if your mother and father forsakes you He will not forsake you. I love you brothers❤

That first guy is only 20 years old and he takes 10 different meds. A 20 yr old should be out enjoying life, going to college, traveling, seeing the world! Sadly, he has already "aged" himself....I'm telling these young, black gay men are literally destroying their lives.

I list my father to AIDS and my mother survives with HIV to this day. Bless these brave people.

My dad has HIV and I feel for you all stay prayed up and just keep taking your medicine please I lost my sister in law to this terrible disease

This was very interesting, telling and upsetting, incredible documentary.

These crazy high rates in Miss. and Georgia are shocking. Saddens me that we don't hear more about this on the news. That organization that provides homes and clincs for the population is such a blessing . My gosh.

Poor babes. Such sweet souls. Sending them love and good vibes.

This documentary made me think if you a black man from Mississippi you either DL or HIV positive or both.

Just because you take a towel and wipe it off doesn't mean it's clean... Then he duck's down behind the pew😂😂😷. I am dead

I love you all! Keep your heads up!