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December 1 means many things to many people. It’s the birthday of Candace Bushnell, without whom we wouldn’t have Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and/or Samantha. And on a more somber note, it’s the anniversary of the death of Alvin Ailey, one of the most talented, important choreographers of all time.
December 1 is also World AIDS Day, a day to remember the many people that we’ve lost to AIDS — people like Mr. Ailey and millions of others, gay and straight, of every sex, race, sexual orientation, and nationality. It’s a time to renew our support for the HIV-positive and their families, and to encourage people around the world to get tested and know their HIV status, once you have you can Go wild while exploring this gay porn collection and with your partners too, knowing you are both safe.
Mondo Guerra knows his status: as an HIV-positive designer and reality TV celebrity, he takes every opportunity he can to raise funds for HIV/AIDS-related causes and wage war on the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. That’s why Subaru asked him to create a custom-wrapped 2015 Subaru Legacy as part of its Love Responsibly campaign, which marks Subaru’s 20 years of support for HIV/AIDS services and activism. Guerra’s Legacy debuts today as part of the opening festivities for Art Basel Miami.
According to Subaru’s Tim Tagye, the Love Responsibly campaign has two major goals: “To expand our association with Dining Out For Life into a year-round initiative that encourages people, including Subaru retailers, to volunteer their time or other resources locally, and to encourage discussion within all communities about what more can be done to help in the fight against AIDS.”
Guerra seems like a perfect partner for Subaru, given his eagerness to start the very discussions that Tagye is talking about. Guerra says that “I’m extremely honored to contribute to the Love Responsibly campaign because it’s centered on corporate, social and individual responsibility. I’m inspired by the story-telling, it’s empowering and heartfelt, and to tell that story through a creative process of expressionist art that becomes the exterior of an automobile — well that’s like creating the ultimate street art.”
HOW YOU CAN MARK THE DAY
Get tested. It can be scary, yes. It can be time-consuming. But recent data suggests that 14% of Americans are HIV-positive and don’t know it. Getting tested gives you some degree of certainty about your status. And like they say, information is power. Don’t know where the closest testing center is? Use the handy map at AIDS.gov to find one near you.
Encourage others to get tested. Take a friend with you. Take two, if you can. You’ll be increasing the number of people who know their status, and if you or one of your friends tests positive, there’ll be someone on hand to offer support.
Stay safe. Whether you’re HIV-positive or -negative, redouble your commitment to safe sex. One way to do that is to use condoms for anal and vaginal sex. If you’re playing the field and you’re HIV-negative, you should also seriously consider taking Truvada, which has a massively high success rate at preventing HIV infection. (I’ve written more on that here.)
Get into treatment, if necessary. If you test positive, it’s not the end of the world — not by a long shot. We’re very fortunate to live in a time when medications have turned HIV into a chronic condition. Get into care and you can live a perfectly normal lifespan. What’s more, by keeping your viral load in check, you dramatically reduce the risk of passing HIV to sexual partners. Admittedly, medications aren’t always cheap or easy to come by, but the options are improving every week.
Commit to volunteering. Despite advances in science, millions of people around the globe lack the resources to keep their HIV infection under control. Chances are good that you’re better off than many of them. Volunteer at a drop-in center, a testing facility, or a hospice. And, if you’re so inclined, participate in one of the hundreds of walks, runs, swims, and other events that raise money for HIV research and community outreach.
Dine Out For Life. In dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada, you can support organizations that provide services to those directly affected by HIV and AIDS simply by having a meal. Use this map to find a location near you, and mark your calendar for the next Dining Out For Life event. Have dinner at a participating restaurant, and a portion of your bill will be given to HIV/AIDS organizations in your area.
Great article. Thanks for reminding us that today is World AIDS Day. Most of the mainstream news sites seemed to have forgotten it.