Azealia Banks slams those who take PrEP and condemns Frank Ocean for his PrEP-themed night club
Azealia Banks has inserted herself (again) in an issue she has no business being a part of after she criticized Frank Ocean for launching a queer club night entitled PrEP+.
Rapper Ocean launched the club last Thursday in New York City. Announcing news of the event, GayLetter said: “The night is named PrEP+ as an homage to what could have been of the 1980s’ NYC club scene if the drug PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) – which can be taken daily to prevent HIV/AIDs for those who are not infected but are at high risk – had been invented in that era.”
In an Instagram story, Azealia Banks took exception to the name and voiced criticisms of the medication – which is taken by users to prevent them from acquiring HIV. She questioned the drug’s potential side effects and people allowing others to cum inside them.
Azealia Banks has made some points AGAIN! Gays stay off that prep shit because the white media is plotting on y’all & you’re making it too damn easy for them pic.twitter.com/nN47VTiPGY
— ?????? (@lavishxjustin) October 19, 2019
“There’s no reason you need to have a fucking pill so you can just fuck whoever you wanna fuck,” she said. “The boys are still getting HIV. The girls are getting fucking renal failure. They’re getting liver fucking failure, they’re getting anal warts, they’re getting anal cancer, OK? That’s a fucking death trap. And for that dumbass nigga Frank Ocean to sit up there and fucking promote that to y’all gays like that’s something that y’all need? It’s evil. And he’s probably getting paid. Y’all stay off that fucking PrEP.”
She suggested that anyone taking PrEP may have a “sex addiction” and should seek help from a psychiatrist, before imploring people not to allow “everybody” to cum inside them and “be responsible!”
One of those to criticize Banks’ comments was Olly Alexander of the band Years and Years. Alexander is currently filming a Russell T Davies drama set in London in the 1980s, exploring the impact of AIDS on the gay community.
“We absolutely won’t be listening to any mis-information or shaming of people taking prep!” he tweeted.
Pls don’t listen to azealia banks talk about prep if you want some information i highly recommend @TeamPrepster and this page here https://t.co/yeWE7c4O2r
— olly ✨ (@alexander_olly) October 19, 2019
“There are lots of reasons why somebody might choose to take prep,” he continued. “We want people to have access to health care and to feel empowered to make the choices right for them. This issue is extremely complex and touches on our collective history as queer people and our relationship to HIV. I ask for people to be a little thoughtful before they start labeling people on prep as – in Azealia’s case, just whores who want it raw. It’s homophobic and actually it does not concern you in the slightest.”
Frank Ocean has not responded specifically to Banks’ comments, although he posted a Tumblr post in response to some of the criticism of his club night. He started by clarifying that the event was in no way sponsored by Gilead, the manufacturer of Truvada. Ocean went on to say he wanted to pay tribute to the 80s and 90s club scene, but also acknowledge how that scene was impacted by HIV and AIDS.
“Now in 2019, there’s a pill you can take every day that will at a better than 90% chance prevent you from contracting HIV,” he wrote. “This pill was approved by the FDA in 2012. The pricing strategy behind it is malicious in my opinion and so it’s public perception is marred and rightfully so. But the fact remains that despite price being a very real barrier to this potentially lifesaving drug for some, the other very real barrier is awareness.
“I decided to name, what was otherwise going to be a night of lights and music inspired by an era of clubbing that I loved PrEP+ because while designing the club … I started to imagine in an era where so many lives were lost and so much promise was lost forever along with them, what would it have been like if something, anything had existed that in all probability would’ve saved thousands and thousands of lives.”
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9 Comments
Mandy
October 22, 07:03Bitter no-good has-beens will always do as bitter no-good has-beens do, which is to yap their ignorance and bitterness all over things nobody wants to hear their opinion about. This Azealia Banks needs to know that nobody is listening to her. All this energy in badmouthing people upandan could be channeled into giving her career a boost.
Francis
October 22, 07:43The truth is bitter but we will not listen until shit hits the ceiling and another HIV like bug emerges. CDC don scream tire but most people aren’t listening. Last last Big Pharma will smile to the bank (as they are doing with HIV)
Even some people living with HIV are suffering the toxic consequences of those medications but no one will scream it out sha ’cause market must sell. Big Pharma them will always find a way to downplay adverse effects until they forsee a possible lawsuit.
For those that didn’t care to watch the video because it’s Azealia (I’m guilty as she’s always in cray cray mode but I had time for her rant yesterday), she’s basically saying STOP taking PREP if you are just on it to fuck the block bareback. Leave the PREP for those that truly need it i.e people in serodiscordant relationships, health workers etc. If you find yourself always needing validation from bareback sex, it’s probably time to see a shrink (I was so on this part of the table till lately. Praise the Lord)
Your condom is still the best defense against most STDs out there. PREP only protects you from HIV chikena. Gonorrhea, Syphillis, Warts etc are so not covered.
If you don’t understand why you need to use a condom while on PREP, the PREP protects you from HIV in case condom breaks during the sex.
Please get your Hepatitis shots while at it abeg. That one kills faster.
Malik
October 22, 09:14Thank you. Stay wise guys.
Pink Panther
October 22, 09:28In other words, use PrEP AND condoms, yes?
Francis
October 22, 09:47Yes.
Black Dynasty
October 22, 17:11This, exactly this. I’ve seen insane side effects from one of my friends who had to take PEP for 30 days after potential exposure.
Higwe
October 22, 07:49Pay no mind to her gerful , froward and toxic reputation ….she did make some salient points.
Typical of her nature though , she didn’t put it out Intelligently .
I stand to be corrected but there is absolutely nothing PREP can do that a good latex condom can’t do … *without all the short and long-term side effects *
Condom is even more effective because it prevents a plethora of STDS too unlike PREP .
I’m sure Frank Oceans means well and I’m certain Azealia is looking for an opportunity to pick a fight ….
Let’s just be guided …I’m seeing a lot of people rely more on PREPS than condoms these days and I think it’s a dangerous trend which needs to be quickly extirpated , because a lot of folks are getting it all wrong…
Speaking as someone who has had both protected and unprotected sex …I can definitely say that unprotected sex is highly overrated .
The importance of safe sex, PREP or nah – can never be overemphasized .
That said *****
I really hope this banks girl gets all the help she needs .
She’s so talented and gorgeous ..
It’s sad to see what became of what was once a very promising career . ?
Share
October 25, 07:31Useless goat, where have you been?
Black Dynasty
October 22, 17:08Lol she needs to learn to better explain herself in a manner that doesn’t make her seem crazy.
STI rates are up and causing havoc in their various forms as folks think PREP is an excuse to go raw without consequences. HIV is not the only issue. We have strains of gonorrhoea that can only be cured by a combo of 2 of the most powerful antibiotics, we have strains of syphilis and chlamydia that now show antibiotic resistance. Mutations are only going to continue as this gets more widespread.
Please use a condom as often as possible, PREP only has effect against HIV.