For so long we have seen and heard all of the biased remarks made about our community, that gay black men "party, have random sex partners and are shunned by their family members." It is time to end these judgmental remarks and show that we are more than "gay" brothers, sons, fathers, cousins; but valuable people that need love like the next person.

Daniel, 24, is a gradate student and an online peer educator with YouthResource.

I have always wanted to help little brothers and sisters that went through many of the same struggles that I have experienced when I was coming out. I think we all have testimonials that the next generation might be able to use. I hope I will continue to provide a light on the complexity of what it means to be an educated, black, gay man here in the United States of America.

For so long we have seen and heard all of the biased remarks made about our community, that gay black men "party, have random sex partners and are shunned by their family members." It is time to end these judgmental remarks and show that we are more than "gay" brothers, sons, fathers, cousins; but valuable people that need love like the next person.

People my age and younger play the pivotal role and should demand change when it comes to sexual and reproductive health movement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that young people are acquiring STDs/STIs and HIV/AIDS at younger and younger ages. The only way we will combat these disproportionate numbers is education: starting from grade school, to college and beyond.