Black AIDS Day: A Wake-up Call for Black Women about the Down Low
News alert for Black women on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day plus FREE tip sheet on how to find out if your husband or boyfriend is on the down low.
New York, NY (PRWEB) February 6, 2006
As National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day approaches, (February 7) Black women need to become aware of 3 important facts:
Black Women are the highest risk category for HIV/AIDS.
Record numbers of Black women are contracting HIV/AIDS through heterosexual contact – mainly from husbands and boyfriends on the down low.
Black women have been misinformed about how to tell if a man is on the down low -- which hampers their ability to protect themselves against heterosexually-contracted HIV/AIDS.
Husbands and Boyfriends a Source of Infection
Most Black women are surprised to learn that HIV/AIDS has spread far beyond the boundaries of the gay community. Black women now account for approximately 70% of all new AIDS cases. And their husbands and boyfriends are the reason why.
Ruth Houston, a New York-based infidelity expert and founder of InfidelityAdvice. com says, “Most Black women who are married or in committed relationships have been lulled into a false sense of security regarding HIV/AIDS. It has never occurred to them that their husband or boyfriend could be a potential source of HIV infection. However, CDC studies show that 67% of Black women with HIV contracted it, not from drug use, but from heterosexual sex.”
Spreading HIV/AIDS to Unsuspecting Mates
Many health care professionals attribute the rise in HIV/AIDS among Black women to Black men on the “down low" – gay or bisexual men who secretly have sex with other men while maintaining relationships with women. Recent CDC studies indicate that 90% of HIV positive bisexual Black men don’t even know that they are infected. These men are unknowingly spreading the virus to the unsuspecting women in their lives.
Houston, the author of Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs, says “Most down low brothers are so skilled at concealing their secret lifestyle, that their wives and girlfriends have no idea they’re cheating – much less – cheating with another man.”
Lies and Misinformation Abound
“The HIV/AIDS problem is compounded by the inability of Black women to accurately assess whether or not a man is on the down low.” Houston points out. “Terry McMillan’s recent divorce from her husband of 6 ½ years who finally admitted he was gay, shows how easily even savvy, street-smart Black women can be deceived by a man on the down low.”
Houston observes, “Many women have been mistakenly led to believe they can tell a ‘down low brother’ by outward appearance – the way he walks, talks, dresses, or acts. The result? Many innocent Black men have been falsely accused. Women have also been told that there are NO telltale signs. Because of all these lies and false information, Black women aren’t really sure how to tell if a man is on the down low.”
Signs of Same Sex Infidelity
Houston, who has spent 11 years studying and documenting signs of infidelity says, “The down low is basically another form of infidelity – same sex infidelity. Which means that most of the same signs of infidelity apply.” The signs are covered in detail in Houston’s book, Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs, which lists practically every known sign of infidelity, including the subtle signs women usually overlook. (Lifestyle Publications, $29.95) http://www. InfidelityAdvice. com (http://www. InfidelityAdvice. com)
“Part of the problem,” explains Houston, “is that most women aren’t even aware that their partner is cheating. Even if they suspect, it never occurs to them that the ‘Other Woman’ could actually be another man. In addition to the standard signs of infidelity (many of which are subtle and easily overlooked) there are certain signs which indicate that his partner is another man. In order to protect themselves against heterosexually-contracted HIV/AIDS, Black women need to know what these signs are. Knowing what to look for is the key.”
Tip Sheet Tells How to Detect the Down Low
Out of concern for the health of unsuspecting women who have no idea that their men are on the down low, Houston has compiled a 2-part tip sheet called the Down Low Dozen. Part I of the Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet outlines Houston’s discreet 3-step process for finding out if a man is on the down low. Part 2 of the Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet gives advice on how to confront him about his down low status, what to do, and where to get help. The Down Low Dozen Tip Sheet is FREE to any woman who e-mails downlowdozen@gmail. com (DownLowDozen at gmail. com) with “Down Low Dozen” in the subject line.
Knowledge is Power
Says Houston. “Every Black woman should know how to tell if her husband or boyfriend is on the down low. This knowledge will reduce her risk of becoming infected with heterosexually–contracted HIV/AIDS.”
“Every Black woman should know her own and her partner’s HIV status – her life could depend on it. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure. If your health has already been compromised, early treatment and careful monitoring can help keep the virus from developing into full-blown AIDS. “
“In keeping with the theme of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day --‘get educated, get tested, get treated and get involved,’ -- act on this information. The life you save may be your own.”
About Ruth Houston:
Infidelity expert Ruth Houston is the author of Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs, which covers practically every known sign of infidelity. Ruth has been quoted in the New York Times, Newsday, the New York Post, Cosmopolitan, the Houston Chronicle, MSN Lifestyle, iVillage, AOL BlackVoices, City Life, and numerous others. She has appeared on The Today Show, Good Day New York, 1010WINS, TalkAmerica, Telemundo, The Breakfast Club, BBC, CBC and over 200 TV and radio talk shows in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
To interview Ruth Houston, or have her speak to your group, call 718 592-6039 or e-mail (InfidelityExpert at gmail. com).
For more information, about Ruth, her book, about infidelity or the down low, visit www. InfidelityAdvice. com.
###
