August 11, 2008

Seeking New Creativity for HIV Education

Activists exhibited fresh attention-grabbing campaigns at the XVII International AIDS Conference that ended in Mexico City on August 8, The New York Times reports.

Some activists wore condom costumes and others wore T-shirts that asked, “Got AIDS?” Posters featured condom-shaped superheroes flying through the air. In others, giant insects, representing the virus, were having sex with unwary victims.

“There is a need to renew and freshen efforts because the virus does not get bored, nor does it fail to find new people at risk every year,” said Dr. James W. Curran, the former leader of the AIDS Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Search: International AIDS Conference, James W. Curran, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Previous Comments:

RZ, Washington, DC, 2008-08-13 11:34:28
Each year a new population of kids begin to recognize that they are gay. Homophobia makes them feel isolated, sick and evil and pushes them towards having unsafe sex in the dark with strangers. Leaders from the president on down need to launch a campaign to reduce homophobia. If society wants gay men to protect their health and to be socially responsible, society has to teach them self-respect and grant them first class citizenship with equal rights under the law.

Dawn M., Simi-CA, 2008-08-13 02:10:57
I agree with the below comment. Their effort had good intentions but kinda fell short. Maybe a better thought out statement for a shirt and not one showing us as parasitic or damaged. We get enough of that from those who are ignorant of HIV/AIDS. I do agree that we need to have new methods to educate and revitalize the education of the disease and keep it fresh.

julianna, , 2008-08-12 12:14:45
A t shirt saying GOT AIDS is insulting. there are two definitions of AIDS one has nothing to do with viral HIV and more to do with poverty malnutrition pollution and lack of access to essential medicines. it is not helpful to these PWA to be parodied in this way. crude ''creative'' messaging ...Posters with giant insects having sex with innocent victims..obviously designed by caffeine fuelled ad man hacks in consultation with - hallucinating activists who would portray us as parasitic .