November 25,
Fight AIDS, not people living with AIDS
by Marc Morgan
Middletown, Ohio-On World AIDS Day, December 1, the Minority AIDS Network of Ohio is asking people to fight AIDSand not people living with AIDS.
HIV stigma and discrimination together pose one of the most significant challenges to stemming the spread of HIV and AIDS.
"People known to have HIV often are isolated and the targets of gossip and namecalling” says Board Chair Jay Spence. “They can lose status and decision-making power in their household and community, many are shunned by family and friends, and they fre-
AVOC, Arts Center join for AIDS Day
by David Dalton
Cincinnati-AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati will be joining with the Contemporary Arts Center again this year to commemorate World AIDS Day next Thursday, December 1. Admission to the center will be free between 10 am and 2 pm.
On the first floor of the Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East Sixth Street, people will be able to buy LiveSafe Red Ribbon bracelets and Beaded Hope red ribbon pins.
Beaded Hope is a non-profit partnership between Crossroads Community Church of Cincinnati and Charity and Faith Mission Church of Mamelodi, South Africa. HIVpositive South African women make beaded red-ribbon pins and other beaded items to help support themselves and their families. The beaded pins will be available at the Contemporary Arts Center on World AIDS Day, or can be purchased by contacting Beaded Hope at beadedhop@crossroads community.net.
Also at the Contemporary Arts Center that day, those who have lost friends or loved ones to AIDS may create a memorial tile to be hung at the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati offices. Light refreshments will be served and information about AVOC's programs and about HIV in general will be made available.
During World AIDS Day, AVOC prevention educators will be at a variety of venues throughout the city including Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati, providing prevention education information and offering free HIV testing to college students. Testing will also be available to the general public at the AVOC offices at 220 Findlay Street in Over-the Rhine.
AVOC was the first to offer rapid HIV testing in the Cincinnati area and beginning in October, was the first to offer hepatitis C testing as well. Hepatitis C and HIV have an extremely high coinfection rate; early treatment of hepatitis is crucial to successful recovery. Free and anonymous testing for HIV and hep C is offered at the AVOC offices Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. An appointment is recommended, as testing times are limited.
The board and staff of AVOC encourage everyone to take a few moments out of their day on December 1 to remember those lost to AIDS and to think about those around the globe who not only suffer from the effects of the disease but also the stigma of AIDS and, in many parts of the world, the almost total lack of treatment options.
AVOC supports global efforts to combat AIDS by contributing donated medications and medical supplies to the Aid For AIDS program.
Aid For AIDS sends these to Third World countries where medical supplies are rarely available to those in need. Donated medications need not be HIV related.
For more information about any of AVOC's programs, see www.avoc.org, or contact AVOC at avoc@avoc.org, 513-421-AIDS, or 220 Findlay St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. ✔
David Dalton is the operations director of AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati.
quently lose their jobs and sometimes their housing."
As a result, it is not surprising that people often go to great lengths to hide their HIV status or deny that they might have it-fueling the spread of the epidemic. Some people avoid getting tested, those who know they have the virus often fail to change their behavior, and pregnant women might avoid treatment that could help protect their children from contracting HIV.
The same fear also intensifies the suffering of those with HIV or AIDS because they delay treatment, services and support that could help them physically and emotionally.
AIDS-related stigma (or, more simply, AIDS stigma) refers to prejudice, discounting, discrediting and discrimination directed at people perceived to have AIDS or HIV, and the individuals, groups, and communities with which they are associated.
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AIDS stigma is expressed around the world in a variety of ways, including ostracism and discrimination against people living with AIDS, compulsory HIV testing without prior consent, violence against people who are perceived to have AIDS or to be infected with HIV and quarantine of people with HIV.
The Minority AIDS Network of Ohio has implemented a statewide anti-AIDS stigma campaign designed to address, specifically, AIDS-related stigma in communities of color. The goal is to work with other organizations in targeted communities to provide services and information that will result in an increase in HIV testing and counseling, and reduce the community perception of people with AIDS. Through these efforts, the Minority AIDS Network of Ohio hopes to increase the awareness around HIV and AIDS prevention and reduce the stigma associated with AIDS in the state.
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 19
The Minority AIDS Network of Ohio is dedicated to working with public and private partners to reduce the transmission of HIV in communities of color, and help Ohioans already infected live longer and healthier lives. This is accomplished by promoting and developing comprehensive, compassionate and quality services, for both prevention and care. The Minority AIDS Network of Ohio provides leadership, encourages input from affected communities, and uses scientific knowledge, to guide the development of responsible, compassionate and effective policies and programs.
For more information, go to www.manoohio.org, call or 937-684-4661 or toll-free 877-854-1541 or e-mail
info@manoohio.org.
Marc Morgan is the president of the Minority AIDS Network Ohio.
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