Art Bends Reality to
Create Possibility
and those Possibilities are endless…
The Velvet Arts Project is dedicated to HIV awareness, mental wellness, and community healing among communities of color through arts, culture, and advocacy with emphasis in LGBTQIA+ persons and women.
Our goal is to curate safe(r) spaces where we elevate our issues, our culture, our excellence, and our joy.
Living With HIV can be Mentally & Emotionally Challenging
People living with HIV are at increased risk for developing mental health conditions. These conditions are treatable and, with help, can recover.
HIV Stigma Affects the Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health
People living with HIV often internalize the stigma they experience and begin to develop a negative self-image.
Mental Wellness Brightens the Path to HIV Viral Suppression
Good mental health care will help you live your life to the fullest and can improve HIV treatment adherence and result in better viral suppression.
HIV can effect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or where they live. However, in the United States, some racial/ethnic groups are more affected than others, given their percentage of the population. A range of social, economic, and demographic factors such as stigma, discrimination, income, education, and geographic region can affect people’s vulnerability to HIV as well as their HIV-related outcomes.
Black and Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to other racial/ethnic groups. For example, in 2019, combined Black and Hispanics represented 31.5 percent of the population, but 65 percent of people with HIV.
Racism, discrimination, HIV stigma, and homophobia have a negative impact on the overall health and well-being of communities of color. Additionally, poverty and the associated socioeconomic factors — including limited access to high-quality health care, housing, and HIV prevention education— directly and indirectly increase the risk for HIV.
Addressing these social and structural barriers and encouraging safe and supportive communities can help improve health outcomes for communities of color.
