For World Aids Day 2025, Yo Aunteas sit with Mario Harper, Director at Health Action Alliance and leader of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV, to discuss a topic too often shrouded in shame: HIV in the Black Community.
Mario shares his deeply personal journey, from overcoming family stigma surrounding his uncle's death to leading national efforts to secure critical funding for grassroots HIV services. This episode is about courage, visibility, and reclaiming our narrative.
We break down:
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How the HIV funding crisis directly impacts Black and Latinx lives.
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The power of confronting family and church stigma.
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Why queer people of color are embracing words like "sissy" to embody their whole truth.
This is a powerful, educational, and necessary episode. Don't just listen—share this with your entire Communitea!
Of course, we end with Curiositea!
Subscribe now to the Minoritea Report for more unfiltered Black queer perspectives and get them cups ready!
Tea Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:03 Thanksgiving: Black Olympics
06:24 Mario Harper's Background
12:48 Sissy That Walk
16:14 World AIDS Day: The Role Of Visibility and Funding
22:56 The Future of HIV Services and Community Support
26:25 Economic Impact and Community Health
27:11 Barriers to Healthcare Access
29:07 Stigma and the Black Church
31:16 Corporate Responsibility in HIV Awareness
35:33 Engaging Younger Generations
40:01 Innovations in HIV Prevention
43:34 Media Representation and HIV Awareness
47:31 Get Tested!
49:59 Q Care Plus & Mistr: Avenues for PREP
52:06 Reflections on Wicked: For Good
01:03:03 The Boy Is Mine Tour: Brandy & Monica
01:07:15 Curiositea: Mario Harper
01:11:49 What Do You Know For Sure?
01:13:04 Beyoncé vs. Janet
01:14:51 Benediction
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