Victim of HIV/AIDS?

Written by Shay Johnson

Today on a very special episode of….

I kid, I kid, but I do want to discuss a very serious topic, HIV and AIDS, specifically HIV and AIDS and black women.

According to the CDC website: “Women account for more than one quarter of all HIV/AIDS diagnoses and is the leading cause of death for black women aged 25-34 years of age”.

I don’t know about you but I was shocked! I thought the leading cause of death for black women was high blood pressure caused by trifling men bad diet and lack of exercise! What I found even more shocking is the lack of responsibility many women, especially black women, are taking for this epidemic. Of course I haven’t polled every black woman in America, and I know there are many women who are taking the necessary steps to educate and protect not only themselves; but their community and the world at large (Shout out to The Red Pump Project and Luvvie!). The numbers don’t lie however, and the conversations that I have had with several women recently represents the thought process that I believe many women possess when it comes to HIV and AIDS.

After I found out about this information, I quickly decided to strike up discussions with many women to get their thoughts on HIV and AIDS and why and how it is spreading so fast among women. Most black women I talked to blamed “the DL phenomenon”. I was also appalled to find out that many women still feel that they “can tell” when someone is sick or that the “type” of man that they date is not at risk. WTF?

First the DL phenom is bull! I am not saying it doesn’t happen, but it’s definitely not as widespread as movies, books and TV will have you believe. In my opinion it’s nothing more than propaganda used to stigmatize gays and their lifestyle. HIV/AIDS is not a “gay plague” and its not punishment for the gay lifestyle. It’s a sexually transmitted disease, plain and simple. Anyone engaging in sexual activity is at risk. This disease does not care about sexual orientation, race, status or culture and these stupid, close minded attitudes have to stop!

But okay, let’s say for arguments sake, that the huge majority of men out here are down low brothers. If it’s so dangerous and men are so deceptive, you’re just going to take your chances and play Russian roulette with your naughty bits? C’mon even if that’s the case you are still responsible for your own protection and the final decision about whether or not you have unprotected sex is YOURS, down low brother or not. This doesn’t decrease your level of responsibility because he is living a double life, it increases it. This brings me to the next comment that many educated fools well educated, upwardly mobile young woman were misinformed about.

So apparently, because a guy went to college, drives a Mercedes, and is gainfully employed he is immune to having or contracting HIV/AIDS? There is only one type of man that is capable of catching and spreading HIV/AIDS and that type is HUMAN. (Okay a little after school specially but hey tis the nature of the subject). There is no vaccine, or immunity that prevents HIV/AIDS. So sorry, Charlie, it doesn’t matter what kind of job, how much money, what car he drives or how big his house, It doesn’t prevent him from having and spreading the virus. In fact so many women are brainwashed into thinking that they are safe, Mr. Perfect is more than likely Mr. Perfect candidate for the virus! You should probably take a lil head instead double up on protection instead of opting to go without!

I am not going to sit here and preach about it, that’s not my style. All I can say is that we as women have to take responsibility for our own actions. When we choose to lay down with someone and not use protection we are putting our lives in jeopardy. Let’s stop being a victim and take responsibility for our lives and actions! If not we will forever be victims; victims of ignorance, victims of circumstance, and victims of HIV/AIDS.

About the Author, Shay J.

About Shay J. … "I am a lot of things but your regular ordinary I am not. I am the oldest of 4 exceptional, though decidedly less impressive siblings. Happily married with 1 child who is the smartest, most talented six year old to ever walk the Earth (this is not my opinion, strictly fact). I am a bit rough around the edges and a firm believer that keeping it real never goes wrong. Straight shooter with no chaser, no filter and I pretty much say and do what I want with no apologies. Long story short? I do me, Awesomely…."

"Fashion Against AIDS" Returns to H&M

This post was originally posted on The Fabulous Giver:

The second coming of the "Fashion Against AIDS" collection will hit H&M stores on May 28th! The tees feature designs from artists including Katy Perry, Dita Von Teese, Cyndi Lauper (left), Pharrell Williams/N.E.R.D., Estelle, Yoko Ono, and more!

25% of percent of the sales will be donated to HIV/AIDS prevention projects of Designers against AIDS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation and YouthAIDS.

In a tip to the growing eco-concious movement, the collection will consist of 100% organic cotton! BTW, I really love, Cyndi's shirt!

If (for some odd reason) you don't know where your nearest H&M store is located, then get the info at hm.com!

-kb

Design for the Cure Fashion Show for Living Positive by Design

On Thursday, May 7, I went to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's annual Make A Statement: Design for the Cure Fashion Show. The show is put on by the AFC's Junior Board, and this year's was in recognition of Jack Mackenroth's "Living Positive by Design". Jack is a fashion designer who is HIV-positive, and was on Project Runway. Living Positive by Design is his national campaign to combat the stigma associated with the disease, as well as emphasize the need for people with HIV to live their lives positively (no pun intended).

Tickets were $50 early bird and $65 regular price. Being the procrastinator that I am, I didn't get my ticket until the day of. It was worth it though. The event began with a cocktail reception, and a flowing open bar. I got a chance to meet Jack and he was extremely nice, funny and down-to-earth. Plus those baby blue eyes of his were sooo cute! We chatted for about 5 minutes, and I told him about The Red Pump Project. He thought it was pretty cool and took my card. I took a picture with him too. Yayyyy!

The Fashion Show began with thanks for the AFC Junior Board and all their hard work. Then Jack gave a short speech about "Living Positive by Design". Designer Heidi Hess was the Mistress of Ceremony. First up was the line "Kwabena". The other designers that showed their pieces were Heidi Hess, SkinStinct, 5p1t, Universal Gear, Lara Miller, Kate Boggiano, Serpico, Akira.

To learn more about the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, visit their website. Also, please check out Jack's Living Positive by Design page for more information on his campaign.

Luvvie

Red Pump Project Updates

We've been busy bees since the last time we sent out updates, so we want to bring you up to speed on a few things.

Design for the Cure

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago's Junior Board is having its annual Design for the Cure Fashion Show today from 7pm - 10pm. It's in commemoration of National HIV Testing Day (which is June 17th). I will be in attendance.

Dining Out For Life

The fourth Thursday of April marks Dining Out For Life^®, an annual event to raise money towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. Participating restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds an AIDS organization located in their city.

This year’s event was on April 30^th, and we got together a small group of Red Pump Supporters in Chicago for a dinner at Carnivale Restaurant. Karyn did a recap of the dinner over at her blog. Check it out.

Front - The Fab Giver (Karyn)

2nd Row (L to R) - The Sassy Peach, Six Twenty Seven

3rd Row (L to R) - Awesomely Luvvie, Chronicles of an Uppity Chick

Not Pictured - Sexy and the Chi

Ambassadors

We are looking for ambassadors to represent The Red Pump Project in various cities across the country. Some of the responsibilities include helping us identify HIV/AIDS organizations in their area, expanding the "Rock the Red Pump" campaign by getting more bloggers to display the widget on their page, and hosting one of the many Happy Hours that will be happening next year on March 10th around the nation. We currently have at least one ambassador in the following cities: New York, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Dallas, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Washington DC, Tucson, Baltimore. If you would like to become an ambassador for your city, please shoot us an email and we will give you further details. Our email: redpumpproject (at) gmail dot com.

Luvvie