“We both lost uncles to AIDS,” Brooks said. “After talking, we felt the awareness about HIV in the black community was not existent.”

Wilson said he hopes MSU’s black community can further explore their personal inquiries about HIV and AIDS, such as getting tested.

“HIV and AIDS is such a taboo subject that we wanted to bring it out and give students the opportunity to talk about it,” Wilson said.

On Wednesday, there was a lecture and discussion about the stigma of being black and a member of the LGBT community, specifically about men.

Young African men who have sex with men currently are No. 1 with having the highest infection rate of the virus, said Matthew Hulbert, prevention coordinator for the Lansing Area AIDS Network, or LAAN, which is helping host the events.

“LAAN focuses on the younger generation because we want to educate people on HIV and AIDS to reduce the spread of the virus,” Hulbert said. “It is a fantastic thing what these two organizations are doing, so we wanted to help.”

Brooks said the black community often discriminates against some members of the community who identify as LGBT.

“The black community almost forces men into the closet if they are not flamboyantly gay,” Brooks said. “We want those people to know that this discussion is a safe place for them to talk.”

James Madison freshman Jocelyn Hines, a member of Case Hall Black Caucus, came to the talk Wednesday with about a dozen other students.

“I think there are so many stereotypes about being black and gay, so there needs to be more awareness about it,” Hines said. “People in the black gay community need to talk and be protected from AIDS.”

Erica Phillipich, coordinator for the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Olin Health Center, said getting tested can be a tool in finding out what to do if one has HIV.

“We try to be approachable to all students and encourage everyone to know their HIV status,” Phillipich said. “Testing is not to prevent but to rather become aware of your status to then get the help you need.”

The organizations will be holding an HIV testing at 5 p.m. April 2 in the Case Hall Black Caucus room.

MSU Student Health Services also provides free testing year-around, which provides anonymity by not being shown on students’ medical records, through the Health Education Department.