In observance of World AIDS Day……Authentic Contemporary Art hosted a forum on Saturday, June 27, 2009 that focused on the role art plays in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. The forum was held at Artomatic in Washington, DC in recognition of National Day of HIV Testing. The video features members of The Saartjie Project, a performance art ensemble based in DC, sharing poetry on their personal experiences with facing the epidemic among their peers.

See how some of DC’s art community is raising awareness here.

Worldwide the estimated number of people living with HIV

is over 33 million.

In the U.S., an estimated over

one million Americans are living with HIV

World AIDS Day, December 1, is an opportunity for us to work together to help reduce stigma around HIV and promote HIV Testing—here’s how you can join us in Facing AIDS in 3 easy steps:

1. Take a Photo
* Download a Facing AIDS sign and tell why you are Facing AIDS.
* Then take a photo of yourself wearing a red ribbon with your sign.
* Upload it to this Flickr group and/or our Facebook fan page

2. Change your Facebook or other Social Network Profile Status and picture. On December 1 change your social network profile picture to your Facing AIDS photo and your profile status to:
“[Your Name] is Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day. To find an HIV test site, text your ZIP to “KNOWIT” (566948), or visit www.HIVtest.org. Join me and post this to your status today.”

3. Share
* Ask your family, friends, and colleagues to join the Campaign—here’s a flyer you can share.

Looking for more ways to help Face AIDS for World AIDS Day?

•Tweet: Use the hashtag #WAD09 for all your World AIDS Day tweets. Connect with AIDS.gov on Twitter !
•Blogs: Write a blog post on December 1 about why you choose to Face AIDS . Not a blogger? Comment on someone else’s blog post or ask your favorite blogger to join the event.
•Share HIV Testing Stories: Check out the stories in the AIDS.gov HIV testing widget, and watch for a new World AIDS Day video. Click the “share” button on the widget to add it to your website or blog.
•Link People to HIV Testing Sites: To find an HIV testing site near you, text your ZIP to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit hivtest.org. Post a web badge on your profile, website or blog.
•Attend or Host a World AIDS Day Event: Find a local event , or add your activities.
•Share Information:  Over a million Americans and 33 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with HIV. The CDC’s campaign “Act Against AIDS” aims to reduce HIV incidence in the U.S. Visit the campaign site for videos, banner ads, fact sheets, and more.
•Download Posters: Use these to promote your World AIDS Day events! View this poster show from PEPFAR.

DC Community Examiner, October 1, 2009

On Sunday, October 4 at Jojo’s on U Street, ‘Ol Soul Project presents a benefit concert to fund the upcoming documentary “Seen But Not Heard” by New York-based director Cyrille Phipps. The documentary addresses the illness’ ravaging effect on Black women across the country.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, blacks have accounted for 397,548 (42%) of the estimated 952,629 AIDS cases diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The DC area has the highest rate in the country of AIDS cases proportionate to its size and population.  Of all black women living with HIV/AIDS, the primary transmission category was high-risk heterosexual contact, followed by injection drug use.

Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV as a result of sex with men who are infected with HIV . They may not be aware of their male partners’ possible risk factors for HIV infection, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, bisexuality, or injection drug use . Sexual contact is also the main risk factor for black men. Male-to-male sexual contact was the primary risk factor for 48% of black men with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005, and high-risk heterosexual co ntact was the primary risk factor for 22%.

Performers at the benefit concert feature several DC and New York-based poets and musicians, including Hari Jones, Agei Tyehimba, Colie Williams and Baltimore’s LOVE the poet. A showing of excerpts from the documentary will also be shared by Cyrille Phipps.

For further information, email info@urbanmediawarrior.com and visit http://theuntoldwar.urbanmediawarrior.com/.