The following stigma-related interventions were conducted in this state.
HIV prevention counseling intervention among Black sexual minority and transwomen by Eaton et al. (2023)
Study & Intervention Summary
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a randomized controlled trial with four intervention arms: stigma-focused counseling vs. health information counseling, and at-home HIV/STI testing with a counselor via video chat vs. in-person testing. The interventions were designed to address barriers to HIV/STI testing uptake and related outcomes like PrEP use, depression, and HIV test results. The study used a 2 × 2 randomized trial design and was conducted from November 2017 to December 2020, showing improvements in priority areas for HIV prevention.
HIV/STD-focused motion comic intervention by Willis et al. (2018)
Study & Intervention Summary
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a six-episode motion comic series in improving HIV/STD-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions among young people aged 15-24. The intervention aimed to reduce HIV/STD risk by delivering health messages through engaging narratives and characters. It was developed through focus groups and used an 80% to 20% entertainment-to-education ratio. The study found significant improvements in HIV stigma reduction, HIV knowledge increase, and behavioral intentions to engage in safe sex.
The study aimed to enhance treatment and care for virally unsuppressed MSM living with HIV by using case management to increase viral suppression rates. The intervention involved randomizing participants into either a standard of care (SOC) arm or an enhanced case management (CM) arm, which included health education, clinical care coordination, medication adherence support, and social service assistance. The primary outcome was viral suppression.
The study evaluates a brief intervention called "Jumpstart" aimed at addressing stigma and medical mistrust to increase PrEP uptake among Black sexual minority men. The intervention involves a 45-minute stigma-focused counseling session, with participants randomized into four arms: control, Jumpstart only, Jumpstart with text messaging, and Jumpstart with text and phone call check-ins. The study showed a small but meaningful effect size in increasing PrEP uptake, with the most intensive arm reporting 37% uptake.
Metropolitan Atlanta Community Adolescent Rapid Testing Initiative (MACARTI)
Study & Intervention Summary
The Metropolitan Atlanta Community Adolescent Rapid Testing Initiative (MACARTI) is a multicomponent intervention that combines motivational interviewing (MI) psychotherapy strategies with community outreach, HIV testing, and intensive case management (CM) to address psychological distress, proactive coping, HIV/AIDS stress, and HIV stigma in adolescents and young adults with HIV (AYAWH). The aim is to link, engage, and retain AYAWH in HIV care by addressing developmental, social, psychological, and economic barriers. Participants receive at least five MI-informed therapy sessions and have access to a patient navigator for CM.
Multi-intervention package for rural older adults with HIV by Walsh et al. (2024)
Study & Intervention Summary
The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of four remotely-delivered interventions (group-based social support, group-based stigma reduction, individual strengths-based case management, and individual technology detailing) designed to improve care engagement and quality of life among rural older adults living with HIV. The interventions target improving viral suppression and quality of life, and the study assesses their preliminary impact on various health outcomes.
The aim of the article is to examine the longitudinal relationships between HIV-related stigma and gains in HIV knowledge among at-risk African-American adolescents. The intervention, "Focus on Youth" (FOY), is a skill-based program designed to increase HIV knowledge and reduce risky behaviors, although it does not directly target stigma. It is compared with a general health promotion control group, "Promoting Health among Teens" (PHAT).
Project iMPPACS (impact of media campaign on stigma and HIV knowledge uptake)
Study & Intervention Summary
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored media intervention and a sexual-risk reduction curriculum (FOY) in reducing HIV-related stigma among African American adolescents. The intervention involved a randomized control trial with participants receiving either FOY or a general health curriculum (PHAT), with two cities receiving a media intervention to promote HIV-risk reduction behaviors.
The article aims to describe the development of a video serial drama intervention called "Reality Check," designed to reduce homophobia, HIV stigma, and sexual risk behavior, and to increase HIV testing among Black youth. The intervention consists of a 27-episode video series that uses education entertainment to model positive behaviors and attitudes.
The SPARK! program is a small grants and capacity-building initiative funded by Gilead COMPASS to address HIV-related stigma in the Southern U.S. It provided grants to 47 CBOs to implement tailored stigma-reduction programs, including traditional media campaigns, social media campaigns, workshops and trainings, and supportive services. The program targeted primarily LGBTQ+ people of color, people living with HIV, and African American populations, and was implemented from 2018 to 2021 across nine Southern states. The aim was to reduce HIV-related stigma and achieve positive outcomes with small funding amounts.
Stigma Type Addressed
Perceived
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV), Other
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Community
Intervention Setting Addressed
Community (Faith-based organizations, barber shops, etc), Individual
The Gilead COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) Initiative
Study & Intervention Summary
The study examines the practices of community-based organizations (CBOs) in addressing HIV-related stigma in the Deep South. The Gilead COMPASS Initiative is a key intervention supporting CBOs to reduce stigma. The study identifies gaps in current efforts and suggests scaling up services, particularly in rural areas, through collaborations and innovative delivery methods like telehealth and mHealth.
Transforming HIV Resentments into Victories Everlasting (THRIVE)
Study & Intervention Summary
The article evaluates the Undetectables Atlanta (UA) peer support network for Black gay men living with HIV. The intervention uses a closed Facebook group, social activities, and social media campaigns to reduce HIV stigma, increase social support, and promote positive health behaviors such as treatment adherence. The aim is to improve health equity and well-being for this demographic.
As of 2025, Yes: Georgia has a HIV criminalization law and sentencing enhancements or sex offender registration (or both) or HIV criminalization law only
HATE CRIME DATA COLLECTION LAW
yes
As of 2025, Yes: Georgia requires hate crime data collection
HATE CRIMES BY YEAR
Number of Hate Crimes
0
100
200
300
248
197
142
2021
2022
2023
Years
Data view:
Individual Item
Proportion
Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?
10%
Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?
34%
Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?
43%
Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?
34%
Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?
33%
Individual Item
Proportion
Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?
34%
Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?
52%
Individual Item
Proportion
Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?
27%
Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?
20%
10.4%
Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?
33.8%
Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?
43.3%
Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?
33.6%
Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?
33.4%
Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?
34%
Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?
51.7%
Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?
26.7%
Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?
19.8%
Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?
