Friday, December 01, 2006

World AIDS Day

To all the people we've lost to this horrendous disease, we remember you today. Find out what you can do to help fight the global AIDS epidemic here.


Look for a series of provocative new PSAs debuting tonight that tackle the rise in HIV, crystal meth use, and unsafe sex among gay men. Amanda Peet, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie Perez deliver the candid, yet caring messages.

The national ad campaign, a collaboration between HIV Forum NYC and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in Chelsea, breaks new ground by enlisting female spokespersons to highlight the essential role that love, respect, and self-esteem play in helping gay men lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

"Despite knowing that condoms prevent HIV transmission, many gay men continue to engage in risky and self-destructive behavior," said Dan Carlson, Founder of HIV Forum NYC. "As we mark World AIDS Day and the 25th anniversary of the discovery of HIV, we wanted to reframe the conversation among gay men about condom use and redefine what that simple act means."

"We’ve heard over and over again that gay men make unhealthy choices because they feel they alone, unloved, or even hated, as a result of the relentless negative messages we receive everyday" said Jay Laudato, Executive Director of Callen-Lorde, New York City’s only primary health care center for the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS. "By focusing on the power of loving and respecting ourselves, our friends, and our partners, we hope to inspire gay men to make healthy decisions."

Learn more at The Look/Listen/Love/Respect site here.

Watch one of the ads with Amanda Peet here.

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