It’s been estimated by the CDC that there are nearly 35,000 new cases of AIDS diagnosed in the US every year. That’s the same population as my home town!
There ARE things you can do. According to the World Aids Day website, you just need to RESPECT and PROTECT yourself. HIV/AIDS is preventable through the use of latex condoms. The website suggest five steps:
Here’s Sara at our station at Froggy’s bar! Peace and safe sex rule!
Part II of our social change project not just asks us to investigate artwork, but also to resist. Although spreading the movement to end the stigma of STI’s through this blog is one way to resist, we decided we wanted to do something much more material. Holly knew someone at her local health department who was kind enough to give us a ton of condoms, pamphlets, and little information cards for your purse/wallet about STI’s and relationships. So both of us decided to take these wonderful, free resources to the people. Additionally, Holly bought some kick-ass pencils that say KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! That’s right, we showed up at bars and parties armed with lots of freebies that educate/protect against STI’s!
This past weekend, we met up in Bowling Green, Kentucky for the weekend. This seemed to be a great central meeting place for us since we both are WKU online students, know tons of great people and places to go there, and well, we just like it there! Pictures and reactions after the cut.
Some celebrities elect to use their position for good causes. I like that. Brad Pitt is building houses in Katrina-struck NOLA, Angelina is busy being a humanitarian, everybody on MTV’s got their “vote or die” shirt on or whatever-but what about STI’s? It seems like everybody wants to talk about them but nobody wans to TALK about them.
With a few exceptions. A few celebrities have come out to talk about their STI’s to educate the public, and I say, kudos to them. It’s a brave thing to do.
It seems like when the subject of celebrities and STD’s comes up, it’s usually thrown at a “slutty” celeb for being “nasty”. In fact, that’s where people start to vent their real feelings and (often untrue) assumptions about people with STD’s. Because nasty people get STD’s, and if you get an STD, you’re nasty. Circular reasoning strikes again. A quick google search of “celebrity std’s” just seems to bring up sites where celebrities are trashed for being so “slutty”-even this story on The Insider throws charges at 10 celebrities who have not publicly confirmed their condition. And the point is that they don’t have to, cuz it is not anybody’s business which celebrities have STD’s, unless, that is, you’re having sex with that celebrity. I know the Internet doesn’t represent everybody’s opinion, but sometimes the response is so overwhelming that you have to take notice. If you just read the comments on pages like this you’ll get the gist of how someone just assumed(not even CONFIRMED) to have some sort of STD is treated. I’m not really here to argue whether anybody has an STD or not. I’m just analyzing the reactions and the stigma-because the fact of the matter is that there’s no way to know unless they tell you. That’s the point here, right?
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After many dark years of abstinence-only sex education in public schools… the light at the end of the tunnel is here. 
Finally, legislation is being proposed that encourages free knowledge and sexual health!! Here’s a quick rundown. Read more and take action.
REAL Act(Responsible Education About Life Act)-this bill would give grants to programs doing research on the prevention of teen pregnancy and STD’s. Click here to find out how to contact your senator and let them know how important this piece of legislation is to you!
Prevention First Act-This bill rules It would require federally-funded hospitals to offer and provide if requested the “plan b” pill to victims of sexual assault, prohibit health plans from excluding contraceptives from coverage, and contribute money to programs that research teen pregnancy and STD’s! Here is some information about how to make your voice heard.
Early Treatment for HIV Act-would help low income people with HIV get treatment through medicare. Here is the link to take action.
One of the goals of promoting good sexual health is having a world full of happy vaginas. Why is it that every time I see a vagina other than my own, it’s either sexualized or medicalized? Can’t a vagina chill and just be? Can’t a woman’s “center” make an appearance without being thrusted or prodded?
There are many artists who felt the same way-that happy vaginas should be represented in artwork. So, in order to promote a happy, healthy sexuality, here are some happy vaginas just doin’ their thing.
Georgia O’Keeffe-learn more about her life and work here.