THE MOTHER TO SON INITIATIVE
As an extension of ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action for Latinx Men and accelerate Initiative, we launched Mother to Son, a digital campaign building off the brilliance of Langston Hughes’ iconic poem “Mother to Son,” which details the delicate vulnerability of the relationship between a mother and her son. Mother to Son seeks to highlight this network of support and its importance for Black and Latinx gay, bisexual, trans and queer men.
Whether biological or chosen, this network of support is essential to getting men connected, engaged, and retained in HIV care and other health services. It is a mother’s love, support, patience and compassion that combats learned self-hate that can lead these men to unhealthy decisions, behaviours and practices. It’s a mother’s love that empowers these men to see themselves as whole, worthy, and valuable.
Although this network is seen as essential, we do not typically see it memorialized. Mother to Son is designed to amplify the bond of Black and Latinx gay, bisexual, trans and queer men and their mother/maternal figures through a reflective and empowering photo campaign and subsequent video series and panel discussion series.
MOTHER TO SON
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Afrika & Aisha
Jonathan & Miriam
Victor & Tijuana
Let’s Talk About It
Are you a mother or maternal figure seeking tips on how to approach difficult conversations with your son? A son who doesn’t know how to share your status with your mother - chosen or otherwise? We’re here to help.
MOTHERS & SONS
Afrika & Aisha
New York, NY
Brandon & Kimberly
Atlanta, GA
CJ & Karen
Dallas, TX
Donavan & Tamara
Dallas, TX
D’Cole, Erin & Robyn
Dallas, TX
Darnell & Diane
Los Angeles, CA
DeMondre & LaShanda
Dallas, TX
Derrick & Christchelle
Dallas, TX
Devin, Devante & Gia
Dallas, TX
Evan & Tonya
Dallas, TX
Jonathan & Miriam
New York, NY
Blair & Luna
New York, NY
Marcus & Geormaria
Dallas, TX
Nathaniel & Lynetta
Dallas, TX
Oscar & Maria
New York, NY
Ty & Connie
New York, NY
Victor & Tijuana
Atlanta, GA
Yosimar & Mardonia
San Jose, CA
The Booklet
The maternal bond looks different from person to person, from family to family. We explored this bond through an innovative shoot, showing this relationship the way that mothers - chosen or otherwise - and sons see it themselves, and captured in their own words the ways that they support and love each other.
DISCOVER OUR OTHER INITIATIVES
PODCAST
A first of its kind narrative podcast with original stories from the gay and queer Latinx and Afro-Latinx community
MOVEMENT
ViiV Healthcare’s continued commitment to all women in the US, especially those disproportionately affected by HIV
MOVEMENT
Through the accelerate Initiative, ViiV Healthcare supports place-based, community-driven activities that strengthen the health and well-being of Black men who have sex with men.
