HIV/AIDS AND THE BLACK / AFRICAN AMERICAN FAITH COMMUNITY
Contributors: Mrs. Claudia Spears, Pastor Kelvin Sauls, Ms. Joni Arlain, Ms. Diane Mitchell Henry
It is hard to believe that 2021 marks 40 years since the HIV/AIDS epidemic was brought to the attention of the world. Like so many other things, everyone was not paying attention because it was regarded as something that only applied to certain people. More directly, those suffering from the disease were scorned and rejected. As people of faith, one could not help seeing the parallels to how those impacted by illnesses were treated in biblical times.
The initial documented information provided by the media and professional medical reporting on the spread of HIV/AIDS within the Black American population, especially among women and children, was alarming; and in reality, it was misinformation. Further study quickly dispelled the sensationalism of media reporting in the late 1970s indicating that HIV/AIDS came from an animal and was contracted only by white gay men.
How you came to know about HIV/AIDS often depended on your field of work, your geographical location, your social surroundings, and even what church you attended.
Claudia Spears’ earliest knowledge of HIV/AIDS was in approximately 1980 and related to training and information, as she served as Director of Nursing Administration for Watts Health Corporation (WHC), formerly Watts Health Foundation. The WHC medical staff and noted community healthcare providers regularly educated staff by presenting evolving data, research, treatments, medications, and recommended community health practices. Initially, HIV/AIDS was thought to be a “gay white phenomenon.” HIV quickly spread to the Black communities, and our people were dying due to lack of education, denial, silence, and resulting lack of access to early diagnosis and treatment.
This was an era of early misinformation, severe unnecessary restrictions, ignorance, and strict precautions on the part of medical personnel and institutions. Medical personnel were openly judgmental and added to the isolation and stigma directed toward HIV/AIDS patients and clients. Large numbers of deaths due to complications consistent with the HIV/AIDS disease occurred, buried in the silence of families and communities. Patients received many health-related diagnoses that were caused by their compromised immune systems. Early treatment and medications were cocktails of multiple medications, and treatment regimens were impossible to follow. Some medications had drastic adverse side effects.
Parents and family members were confused, with little or no guidance in the care and support of sons and daughters diagnosed HIV positive or with AIDS. The faith community failed the Black community. Most churches denounced the words HIV/AIDS. Many denominations would not permit funerals of their members who succumbed to a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. Sermons, seminars, panels, or any HIV health care information was strictly prohibited. The prevailing religious denial was related to the mainstream churches’ stance on homosexuality, which was the “deadliest of sins.” Faith-based stigma and denial continue today to a lesser degree.
“My involvement was both work-related and personal,” says Spears. “A close family member was diagnosed as HIV positive and lived with HIV/AIDS for a total of 17 years. I educated myself across many years for family reasons and became an active advocate and supporter in the 1990s. It was my privilege to serve as a referral resource for mothers of LGBTQI sons and daughters or to young adults who were estranged from their families. These referrals were usually from social workers, and my own family member who lived with HIV/AIDS.”
Pastor Kelvin Sauls shares his early and continuing work in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. He entered the arena of HIV/AIDS in December 1993, when he visited the land of his birth, South Africa, where HIV/AIDS was an emerging health crisis amid stigmatization and denial. As he has always done, Pastor Sauls’ brother, Dr. Jakobus Sauls, a high school principal in the township of Ennerdale on the southside of Johannesburg, invited him to speak to his approximately 1,500 students. The title of Pastor Sauls sermon was “AIDS, Apartheid, and Advent.” This was the first time the students heard a public presentation on the intersection between faith and health within the historical context of the apartheid. He shared, “I returned to the U.S. in January 1994 to start my theological education at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Little did I know that experience was my intersectional and transnational port of entry to HIV/AIDS and the Black community.
“While in seminary, I watched the HIV/AIDS challenge transition from a crisis to an epidemic in communities of color and countries of color. I included attending events and conferences to stay abreast on the disturbing and disappointing way the Black church responded to the crisis in South Africa and the United States. The emerging theology was condemnation over compassion. Stigmatization ruled the day! Exploring the painful disruption of families and isolation of people infected and affected, the Holy Spirit led me into a different direction. Romans chapter 8 became a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, especially verses 38-39.
“These acts of discrimination against her children perpetuated by some in the Black church and perpetrated by some in the Black community was a betrayal of God’s inseparable and inescapable love! As one chosen by and called into this mission, I am forever grateful for God’s sustaining accompaniment from the pulpit to the pavement and from the sanctuary to the streets. In every congregation and community where I was in ministry – San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles – HIV/AIDS was an integral aspect of the health ministry with compassion, love, and hope
leading the way.”
For some, involvement in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic may have been peripheral. However, when reminded of the biblical story of how Jesus took two fish and five loaves of bread, which was the lunch of a little boy, and multiplied it to feed the masses, it is clear that what appears to be insignificant in God’s miraculous Spirit-filled plan can often be utilized to magnify favorable results beyond our imagination.
“Hearing and reading news reports” is the primary way Joni Arlain became aware of HIV/AIDS. From the outset, she found it “heartbreaking to hear of the way persons suffering from HIV/AIDS were treated. Like so many other diseases, fear seemed to be
nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ I updated and expanded the words, ‘nor anything else in all creation’ as follows, ‘…nor HIV/AIDS, will be able to separate us from the love
‘For I am convinced that neither death,
of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’”
the order of the day. This only led to elevated stigma and othering of those impacted by the disease. ‘HIV is a virus, AIDS is a disease, neither is a SIN.’ That quote speaks profoundly to how the faith community should embrace and support our brothers and sisters in their journey, but most often the experience was the opposite. Judgment of any kind is reserved for the creator, and too often as the faith community we assumed that role.” Deeper involvement in this work for Arlain came through Holman United Methodist Church, her home church.
One must have the faith and courage to allow the Spirit of God to magnify the gifts, talents, and skills and recognize the appropriate seasons to utilize them. For some, the role in the HIV/AIDS epidemic’s phenomenon showed up as friendship, a supportive ally with compassion. Many individuals who contracted and have been treated for HIV/AIDS were supported by friends and befriended by strangers in their journey as they lived and have since transitioned.
Holman United Methodist Church’s H.O.P.E Ministry (Holman Organized for People Empowerment) was an umbrella ministry of the church that was reorganized in 2000 under the leadership of Rev. Paul A. Hill to focus on HIV/AIDS.
Though the focus of HIV/AIDS as a ministry formally began in 2000 at Holman United Methodist Church, its involvement began prior to that year.
In approximately 1995, Kevin Spears⎯a member of Holman United Methodist Church⎯was appointed to the Community Advisory Board of the LA County Commission of HIV/AIDS. He promoted funding for client programs in South Los Angeles communities. Kevin Spears was a community activist, an advocate, for the HIV/AIDS community of organizations. He was also an associate member of Unity Fellowship Church under the leadership of Bishop Carl Bean. His community advocacy included enhancing awareness of HIV/AIDS as a pandemic, and services available to clients across Los Angeles County. His activism encouraged social service organizations to work together to seek scarce resources to enhance community programs as they delivered client services.
Rev. James M. Lawson., Jr., was Senior Pastor of Holman, and he was an early mentor to several individuals who lived with HIV/AIDS. In earlier years, under his leadership, other gatherings were hosted and sponsored by the church in partnership with the work of the UMC denomination, or community organizations that focused on HIV/AIDS were hosted at the church.
The Holman H.O.P.E. HIV/AIDS/STIs Ministry mission is to raise awareness, educate the congregation and community, and minister in outreach. Over the years the ministry sponsored and participated in events to fulfill that mission. One of the initial community activities was the annual Los Angeles AIDS Walk. Ministry members initially participated as walkers under the Holman team, and in years since, H.O.P.E. Ministry members have served as volunteers, as well as walkers and fund raisers for this event sponsored by APLA.
Spears and Arlain served as co-chairs of the H.O.P.E. HIV/AIDS/STIs Ministry for several years. Through their roles, they have been diligent and committed to the mission of the ministry; and with other H.O.P.E. Ministry leaders they have connected in outreach and partnership with community organizations doing the important work of raising awareness, supporting persons impacted by HIV/AIDS, and striving to eradicate the disease.
The H.O.P.E. Ministry is grateful for the work of OASIS Clinic, Minority AIDS Project (MAP), Unity Fellowship Church, Hollywood United Methodist Church, Faith United Methodist Church (Imani Unidos Food Pantry and Housing Program), AIDS Project Los Angeles, Black AIDS Institute (Phill Wilson), and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (founder Michael Weinstein). The H.O.P.E. Ministry has engaged in educational and outreach activities with these organizations over the years to keep HIV/AIDS awareness and education in the forefront. There are too many people across the globe who continue to be seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS, and it is the responsibility of all of us to do our part. AIDS can be stopped only when we realize that it is everyone’s challenge.
H.O.P.E. Ministry sponsored a few early health fairs that included HIV/AIDS testing mobile units, along with other health screenings. There was early reluctance by the leadership to having on-campus HIV testing at Holman, however the larger congregation was supportive of all health screenings, including HIV on-site testing. A H.O.P.E. literature table, featuring current health information related to chronic diseases which affect the Black community, including HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), upcoming related educational opportunities, and referral resources became a H.O.P.E. Ministry ongoing project.
The H.O.P.E. Ministry regularly sponsored health presentations from 2000 to recent years, focusing on HIV/AIDS, by Dr. Wilbert Jordan, Medical Director of the OASIS Clinic, MLK/Drew Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, and Healthy African American Families, Los Angeles.
In or around 2006, H.O.P.E Ministry hosted the traveling Kieskamma Altarpiece in conjunction with UCLA. “This monumental, multi-panel artwork was created by 130 women from South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, an area of the world hardest hit by AIDS, to commemorate the lives and memory of individuals there who have died of the disease and to celebrate the community’s determination to prevail in the face of AIDS. Based on the famed Isenheim altarpiece created by Matthias Grunewald, the colossal Keiskamma Altarpiece using imagery of the Xhosa people, through embroidery, beadwork, wire sculpture, and photographs, it depicts the impact of AIDS on life in this region. Fully opened, the altarpiece reveals dramatic, life-size photographs of three local grandmothers and their grandchildren, some orphaned by AIDS, and their hope for the future.”
The ministry also hosted, in 2008, the World Vision African Village, under the leadership of then District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth. This traveling village was set up in Holman’s White Hall, and it provided “an unforgettable journey through an interactive exhibit that transported you into the heart of Africa, and provided the opportunity to see, hear, and touch the true stories of four special children impacted by the AIDS crisis. Through this experience, visitors also had the opportunity to sponsor a child in the World Vision program that was impacted by HIV/AIDS.
The spirit of giving and serving was evident in the annual H.O.P.E. Coffee House hosted by the H.O.P.E. Ministry. The event offered a smorgasbord of entertainment by people who shared their talents gratis, and guests were provided with refreshments. Funds raised were earmarked for the H.O.P.E. Ministry’s end of year celebration that provided gift cards to a grocery and a department store to women with families living with HIV/AIDS to assure an enjoyable Christmas season for all.
H.O.P.E. requested the referral of women with children from social service agencies for this end-of-year celebration. Outreach also included providing a financial donation to three partner community organizations (OASIS Clinic, Minority AIDS Food Pantry, Black AIDS Institute, Faith United Methodist Church’s Imani Unidos Food Pantry, Sierra Project⎯Alliance for Housing and Healing⎯for AIDS clients, Los Angeles Health and Wellness Station located in the Pico Del Rio Housing Project). The families and program managers for the organizations were invited to the end-of-year celebration to receive the gifts.
H.O.P.E. Ministry has been recognized by the California Pacific Conference United Methodist Church Ministry. Strength for the Journey (SFTJ) is a weeklong adult summer camp for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. H.O.P.E. ministry has provided the largest number of scholarships each year — $300 each since approximately 2006.
Always mindful of its mission, the H.O.P.E Ministry’s collaborations have been the hosting of speaker panels, special speakers, and special events, offered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, UCLA, Charles R. Drew University. In the last few years health information on STDs has been included on the H.O.P.E. literature table and in our Conversation with Youth and Parents seminars. The hosting of a film and panel which discussed safe sex practices for adult seniors offered by UCLA provided current information for congregants and guests, by special request. H.O.P.E. Ministry members continue to volunteer as host/hostesses each year at the Black AIDS Institute annual Heroes in the Struggle fundraiser event.
One of the most rewarding activities is the serving of a quarterly hot lunch at the OASIS Clinic⎯King Drew Campus⎯for the clients and staff. Many of the clients do not have access to healthy nutritious meals, are homeless, and many have been evicted by their families.
The annual World AIDS Day observance has been a yearly highlight of the ministry, celebrated in worship on the first Sunday in December. Under the leadership of Rev. Sauls, the Leontine T.C. Kelly award was established. This award is named for the first African American female bishop in the United Methodist Church, who was the late General Secretary for AIDS Ministry in the National United Methodist Church. She was noted for her AIDS advocacy in the Bay Area during the height of the AIDS Pandemic in the 1990s. Six previous recipients of Holman’s Leontine T. C. Kelly Award are Dr. Wilbert Jordan, Charles Drew University Professor Cynthia Davis, community activist Jewel Thais Williams, Founder and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute Phill Wilson, community activist Charles McWells, former Interim Senior Pastor Holman UMC and co-Dean of the Strength for the Journey Retreat Rev. Paul A. Hill, and past Chair of H.O.P.E. Ministry Claudia Spears.
Though there was reluctance from many churches to be courageous and address the subject of HIV/AIDS by supporting and speaking up with compassion and care, it was heartwarming to know that there were some churches that were not paralyzed by the stigma. Several other churches established AIDS-related ministries, including Unity Fellowship (by its founder, Rev. Bean), Faith United Methodist Church (the late Rev. Robinson-Gaither, Senior Pastor), Hollywood United Methodist Church (Rev. Ed Hansen, Senior Pastor), First AME Church Los Angeles (Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, Senior Pastor).
As Black people who have experienced the pains of systemic racism, we understand the impact of ignorant, pious, and insensitive treatment. Having friends is important. The friendship that provides a safe place to be who you are without judgment and condemnation is like a breath of fresh air. Someone who can empathize and is willing to do what is comforting is paramount.
As advocates in the work and commitment to eradicate HIV/AIDS, we are grateful for the community organizations that have and continue to provide resources for social services since the late 1980s. Most notable were LA County USC Medical Center, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medical Center, Charles R. Drew University, Research Programs- Drew Cares, and Watts Healthcare Corporation. There were also several programs and shelters for females with children living with HIV/AIDS.
Los Angeles County became involved in funding of resources and community programs during the 1990s, with access to Ryan White Federal Funds. Notable organizations such as APLA, AIDS Walk Los Angeles, Black AIDS Institute, Phill Wilson, and AIDS Healthcare and Founder Michael Weinstein have been key partners in providing these resources. A legendary cultural and supportive organization for the Los Angeles LGBTQI community was the Catch-One venue founded by Thais-Williams and Village Health foundation. Thais-Williams, an early activist, provided financial support, leadership, employment, and an inviting safe entertainment space for the Los Angeles LGBTQI community. One of the premier Los Angeles organizations continues to be In The Meantime, Inc., headed by Jeffrey King, Founder and CEO.
As the saying goes, “Together we CAN make a difference.” Gratitude abounds for all who have joined in this important work. 2019 statistics report that 1.2 million in the U.S. are HIV positive, but 13 percent do not know they are positive. Blacks/African-Americans represent 13 percent of the population, but 44 percent are diagnosed with HIV. Globally, there were approximately 38 million people with HIV/AIDS in 2019. Of these, 36.2 million were adults and 1.8 million were children (<15 years old).
Where are we now in 2021? After a 40-year struggle against HIV/AIDS, this is a thought-provoking question. We have come a long way as a society. However, our society as a whole still has a long way to go. The availability of HIV/AIDS information, treatment modalities, and medication has increased. There is less stigma toward our brothers and sisters who live with HIV. However, there continues to be prejudice, stigma, and rejection directed at same-gender-loving persons, which in many cases leads them to behaviors that expose them to contracting HIV/AIDS (i.e., unprotected sex, drug use). We see more commercials advertising the HIV medications that now consist of one pill per day. If a patient remains in treatment, takes medicine as prescribed, while maintaining a healthy diet and safe sex practices, they can remain generally healthy with T-cell counts high and viral loads low and undetectable. Patients today do not have to succumb to HIV/AIDS. Thanks be to God!
At this juncture, we all must continue our commitment to step up, speak out, and stir up the awareness and action to resist this devastating disease. We move forward with HOPE. The work of awareness, education, and outreach must continue. Aché!!