The Lead

The Lead

We’re in an STI crisis. Once again, Black women are being left behind

The gonorrhoea vaccine should be a major breakthrough, but young Black women are being left out of sexual health policy – with devastating effects.

Tabby Kibugi's avatar
The Lead's avatar
Tabby Kibugi and The Lead
Oct 18, 2025
∙ Paid
a person holding a needle
Pic: Unsplash

In May last year, Bailey*, a 28-year-old postgraduate student who moved to the UK from Kenya, walked into a new sexual health clinic after noticing unusual symptoms. Her regular clinic had shut down indefinitely.

She was hoping for answers and reassurance, instead, she was met with dismissive questions and racialised assumptions. She was al…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of The Lead Editors.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
A guest post by
Tabby Kibugi
Tabby Kibugi is a journalist and writer who mainly reports on culture, health, and social justice stories. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Insider, Sierra, R29, Black Ballad, Reader's Digest, and more.
© 2026 The Lead Newspapers Limited · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture