Facing the Faces of HIV, a New Florida Anti-HIV Stigma Project Rolls Out by Alina Oswald How many ways can one tell a story? How many times? …How long until we fall asleep? The story I’m talking about is the story of AIDS. For three decades and counting millions of people have been living it. They have been telling and retelling the AIDS story, while sharing their own experiences with life and the disease. Yet, are we still listening? Are we still eager to hear [...]

AIDS Advocate Maria Mejia Creates Community, On-Line & in Real Time Text and Photos by Sean Black For the past eleven years, Maria Mejia has dedicated her life to helping others affected by HIV/AIDS. She herself has been positive for over twenty. An active volunteer with the American Red Cross, the Miami-Dade County Health Department, and Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami, Maria has served as a peer educator providing outreach, training, and testing to thousands. Along with supporting her local South Florida [...]

HIV Has No Face—RCP Has Many by Sean Black “Was your hair free? No. Were your nails free? No. How much would you pay for an HIV test? $20? $10? No, cuz today it’s free.” High school senior Janae Dennis shouts passionately through a bullhorn, encouraging drivers, bicyclists, and foot pedestrians to take advantage of the free rapid HIV testing arranged for and sponsored by a South Florida not-for-profit organization known as The RCP Movement. Standing for Respect Yourself, Check Yourself and Protect Yourself, RCP [...]