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Resources & HIV Statistics

HIV Alliance understands that there is no one-size-fits-all standard of care for each individual. We all come from different backgrounds and belief systems, which is why we aim to provide tailored resources for the diverse community members of Oregon. By staying informed and understanding HIV statistics, we can better serve the needs of our community. If you believe something is missing or could be improved, please let us know! We would love to help include you and your family in the resources and support available.

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

A common myth is that HIV affects gay men only, and we know that is not true. HIV can affect any person of any gender or sex. For a long time, women with HIV were hardly recognized in mainstream media and in the cultural image of HIV, even though there were women among the first diagnosed with AIDS in 1981. On average across the US, women make up about 25% of People Living with HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately, there is little research or data specifically on LGBTQ+ women with HIV; most data will refer to women transmitting HIV through heterosexual contact.

There are many different communities and sub-cultures within our LGBTQIA+ realms. HIV Alliance remains invested in the health of our many queer communities. Across the country, LGBT individuals make up about 4.5%, and Oregon’s population is made of about 5.6% LGBT individuals (2017), the second highest percentage, following Washington DC (source).

HIV Alliance has been fortunate to partner with the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Emerald Empire (greater Eugene area) and the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Willamette Empire (greater Salem/Keizer area) – two charitable non-profit organizations that work for LGBTQIA+ communities. HIV Alliance has also been able to witness the beginning and rise of the Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus. We are continuously working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and community organizations. Some of our current partners include TransPonder, The Eugene Bears (MSM social group), the Regional Pride committees, middle school and high school GSA’s, as well as local college LGBTQIA+ student groups.

If you represent an organization, event, or group that shares our commitment to equity, we would love to learn more about your work and what we can do to help. Reach out to us!

Our trans neighbors and friends are often the most vulnerable and most impacted by health or social issues, facing much resistance by mainstream culture in today’s world. We also recognize that our trans neighbors have often been the loudest and bravest when it comes to fighting for many LGBTQIA+ issues and rights. As stated above, HIV Alliance works closely with Eugene-based TransPonder.

We are also pleased to remind you that in Oregon, a person can have their sex labelled as Male (M), Female (F), or Gender Neutral (X), since 2017. While this may not encompass every person’s self-identity, it appears to be a progressive approach and another step toward including our many Oregonian neighbors.

Organizations like the Trevor Project and the Q Card Project offer tips and tools for a person to advocate for their own personal health in many settings.

TransPonder

There are many great ways to connect with queer and health communities throughout Oregon and around the world. HIV Alliance has initiated its own Facebook page to educate people on STIs and sexual health, aimed at encouraging testing, dialogue, and camaraderie among our local community members.

Take a look at pages of local groups near you if you’re looking to build your own community!

Basic Rights Oregon
Central Oregon Pride
Eugene Gay Men’s Social Network
Gay Men’s Hiking Group of Oregon
Gay Oregon Coast
The Gay Outdoors of Southern Oregon
Oregon Lesbians
Southern Oregon LGBTQ Resources

Race & Ethnicity

We understand there are differences among people of different cultures, races, and ethnicities. The United States of America is often referred to as a melting pot of ideas and people. Though in the sad reality, we recognize that not all people are treated in similar fashions due to their race and background. Each person brings their own light to this world and holds value.

We refer to the US Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control for our stats on HIV and its relation to race or ethnic backgrounds.

In the state of Oregon, there are nine (9) federally recognized Native American tribes. There are also other communities of Native American tribes that are NOT federally recognized. Each tribe consists of its own family, community, and heritage. In 2017, American Indians and Alaskan Natives made up 8.8% of HIV cases, though make up only 1-2% of all population within the United States region. Between 2005 – 2014 there was a 19% increase in new HIV diagnoses for American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) as well as a 63% increase of new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual AI/AN men (source).

Indian Health Services

In the United States, roughly 13.4 % of the population is Black or African American. Oregon has a lower rate, at only 2.2% of the state identifies as Black or African American – whereas 6.9% of Oregon’s People living with HIV are Black or African American. In 2017, people identifying as Black or African American accounted for 43% of new HIV infections. An estimated 1 in 2 Black same gender loving men may contract HIV within their lifetime. It is important to talk about the relationships of health disparities and educational differences when they intersect with race.

Center for Black Equity
Human Rights Campaign on Being Black and Queer
Kaiser Family Foundation
NAACP of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington
University of Santa Cruz on QTBIPOC Resources
Read an article on Black Queer Folks in Oregon here.

Within the US, roughly 14% of the population is Hispanic/Latinx. Within the sate of Oregon, just less than that identifies as Hispanic or Latinx – 13.3%. The CDC claims that nearly 1 in 4 gay or bisexual Latinx men may contract HIV within their lifetimes. HIV Alliance has many English-Spanish bilingual staff – including Care Coordinators, Intake Coordinators, and Testing Coordinators. There are Prevention staff members able to translate and present HIV 101 basics in Spanish to classes and groups. 13.9% of all people living with HIV identify as Latinx or Hispanic. We recognize that much of our community is primarily Spanish-speaking and we hope to not leave them behind in our work and to bring us all together.

For many in Latinx homes and families, it can be difficult to access LGBTQ+ resources due to a social and cultural set of values labelled under Machismo. This can feel like strict social norms on how a man or a woman should present, act, and behave in public or social situations.

Making up nearly 6% of the total US population and less than 5% of Oregon’s population, our Asian American communities make up about 2% of new HIV diagnoses. As a part of Oregon’s history, this state hosted an interment camp during World War II in the Portland area.

Asian women with HIV are most likely (94%) to transmit the virus through heterosexual contact, meaning they received it from their male sexual partners. Regarding Asian men who are HIV positive are most likely (91%) to transmit the virus through homosexual contact, meaning they also received HIV from a male sexual partner.

It is difficult in many ways to define the Asian-Oregonian communities. As many different nationalities are listed under the same umbrella term Asian. Some of those nationalities and ancestral backgrounds can range from Chinese, to Vietnamese, or Korean, Indian, Laotian, Thai, Samoan, Burmese or many more. This lack of true identification for Asian-Americans can lead to misrepresentation in statistics and populations throughout the country.

As of July 2019, the US census estimates US American’s who solely identify as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander is 0.2%; a small amount of people though this does not include those identifying with multiracial backgrounds. In 2018, less than 1% of new infections were made up of NWOPI individuals. With only a total of 68 individuals being newly diagnosed with HIV in 2018 the data can be difficult to interpret. All female diagnoses contracted HIV from heterosexual contact, though that number is only 5 individuals total.

The United states is a fairly Euro-centric and Caucasian country. The US Census Bureau (2019) states the US population is 76.5% white. Oregon, as a state, is less diverse actually – at 86.8% white (that’s about 6/7 Oregonians are white). Due to racial privilege and historical and systematic racism within our state and country, people who are white often receive fewer negative impacts of health issues and greater positive benefits to social and structural circumstance. In 2016 AIDSvu estimated that about 73% of People living with HIV in Oregon are white.