September 2020

HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men

Of the 37,968 NEW HIV DIAGNOSES in the US and dependent
69% areas* in 2018, 69% were among gay and bisexual men.†‡

Among gay and bisexual men who Black/African American** 37% 9,712
received an HIV diagnosis in 2018,
racial and ethnic disparities
Hispanic/Latino†† 30% 7,996
continue to exist. White 27% 7,040
Asian 3% 697
Multiple Races 3% 664
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 140
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander <1% 57
0% 100%

From 2014 to 2018, HIV diagnoses decreased 7% among gay and bisexual men overall.

Trends by Race
and Ethnicity Trends by Age
2014 2018 2014 2018
11,000 11,000

Stable 6%
Stable

15%
15%

Stable 12%
22% Stable
0 0
Asian Hispanic/ Black/African White 13 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 and
Latino American older

Subpopulations representing 2% or less of HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men are not reflected in this chart.

* American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Palau, and the US Virgin Islands.
† This fact sheet uses the term gay and bisexual men to represent gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact
aged 13 and older.
‡ Includes infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use (men who reported both risk factors).
** Black refers to people having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. African American is a term often used for Americans of
African descent with ancestry in North America.
†† Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
 Gay and bisexual men who don’t know they have HIV can’t
get the care and treatment they need to stay healthy.

At the end of 2018, an estimated 1.2 MILLION AMERICANS

At the
had end Of
HIV.‡‡ of 2018,
those,an were1.2
estimated
740,400 MILLION
gay AMERICANS
and bisexual men.
had HIV.‡‡ Of those, 740,400 were gay and bisexual men
5
5 in
in 6
6
gay and bisexual men knew they had the virus.***
gay and bisexual men knew they had the virus.***

It is important for gay and bisexual men to know their HIV status so they can take medicine to treat HIV if they have the virus. Taking
It
HIVis important for gayday
medicine every andcan
bisexual menviral
make the to know
load their HIV statusPeople
undetectable. so theywho
canget
take medicine
and keep antoundetectable
treat HIV if they
viralhave
loadthe
(or virus. Taking
stay virally
HIV medicinecan
suppressed) every
liveday canand
a long make the viral
healthy life.load
Theyundetectable. People who
also have effectively getof
no risk and keep an undetectable
transmitting viral load
HIV to HIV-negative sex(orpartners.
stay virally
suppressed) can live a long and healthy life. They also have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to HIV-negative sex partners.
Compared to all people with HIV, gay and bisexual men have about the same viral suppression rates.
Compared to all
For every 100 gaypeople with HIV,men
and bisexual gay and
withbisexual men have about the same viral suppression rates.
HIV in 2018:‡‡
For every 100 gay and bisexual men with HIV in 2018:‡‡

65
65 49
49 57
received
received
some
some
HIV care
were
were
retained
retained
in care
57
were virally
were virally
suppressed
HIV care in care suppressed
For comparison, for every 100 people overall with HIV,
ForHIV
65 received some comparison, for every
care, 50 were 100 in
retained people
care,overall with HIV,
and 56 were virally suppressed.
65 received some HIV care, 50 were retained in care, and 56 were virally suppressed.

There are several challenges that place some gay and bisexual men at higher risk for HIV.
Lack of Awareness of HIV Status
People who don’t know they have HIV can’t get
the care they need and may pass HIV to others
without knowing it.
Increased Risk for Other STDs
Having another sexually transmitted disease
(STD) can greatly increase the chance of getting
or transmitting HIV.
Sexual Behaviors
Some factors put gay and bisexual men at
higher risk for HIV, including having anal sex
with someone who has HIV without using
protection (like condoms or medicine to
prevent or treat HIV).
Stigma, Homophobia, and Discrimination
Stigma, homophobia, and discrimination may
STIGMA affect whether gay and bisexual men seek or
receive high-quality health services.

How is CDC making a difference for gay and bisexual men?

Collecting and analyzing data and monitoring Supporting community organizations that
HIV trends. increase access to HIV testing and care.

Conducting prevention research and providing Promoting testing, prevention, and treatment
guidance to those working in HIV prevention. through the Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign.

Supporting health departments and community- Strengthening successful HIV prevention

based organizations by funding HIV prevention programs and supporting new efforts funded
work and providing technical assistance. through the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

‡‡ In 50 states and the District of Columbia.

*** Includes infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact only. Among men with HIV infection attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection
drug use, 12 in 13 knew they had HIV.
For more information about HIV surveillance data and how it is used, read the “Technical Notes” in the HIV surveillance reports at
www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance.html
For more information visit www.cdc.gov/hiv

All content is based on the most recent data available in September 2020.