Chicago Healthcare Center Wants You to “Talk About PrEP” in New Music Video

Today, Howard Brown Health unveiled a new song and music video, "Let's Talk About PrEP" to continue raising the visibility of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the fight against HIV.

PrEP, if taken daily as directed, can significantly decrease the likelihood of acquiring HIV while having sex. Unfortunately, those who have a higher risk of acquiring HIV, particularly racial minorities living in low income areas, are the individuals least likely to have heard of or have access to PrEP.

Performed by Chicago-based rapper KC Ortiz, and featuring Big Dipper as well as local influencers (including Chicago drag legend Lucy Stoole), Howard Brown Health's new video is a cover of Salt-N-Pepa's classic hit "Let's Talk About Sex."

The video was produced by Imagination + Muscle Productions, directed by Tobin Del Cuore, and filmed at a variety of Chicago locations, including Howard Brown's Andersonville Brown Elephant resale shop.

"Howard Brown Health is thrilled to present this exciting music video as an advocacy and awareness platform for HIV prevention," said Erik Roldan, Director of Communications for Howard Brown Health.

"'Let's Talk about PrEP' is both a celebration and a call to action - we are on the precipice of an HIV-free generation, and PrEP is one of the tools we need to get us there. However, we must continue to increase PrEP access among communities who need it, particularly people of color on the south side of Chicago."

"This song is about conversation - we need to talk about PrEP and HIV in our community," said KC Ortiz. "When we talk to our partners and our loved ones about sexual health, we are eliminating stigma. Let's talk about sex. Let's talk about HIV. Let's talk about PrEP."

Howard Brown Health exists to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness. Howard Brown is the largest LGBTQ organization in the Midwest, providing primary and specialty healthcare, social services, and infectious disease screenings to more than 32,000 people each year. For more information, visit howardbrown.org.