World AIDS Day tomorrow - Candlelight Vigil and free HIV Tests in Denver

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is partnering with ONE Colorado, the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS (CORA), and The GLBT Community Center of Colorado to offer free HIV testing locations throughout the Denver Metro Area and Colorado Springs.

A candlelight vigil, open to the public, will also be held on the west steps of the State Capitol beginning at 5:30 p.m. to remember those who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. The vigil will feature guest speakers Dr. Mark Thrun, director of HIV Prevention and STD Control for Denver Public Health and with the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, and Dr. Benjamin Young, executive medical director for Rocky Mountain Cares. Rocky Mountain Cares provides high quality centralized medical care and supportive services to a diverse and inclusive Colorado HIV/AIDS community.

World AIDS Day first originated in 1988. This year’s campaign focuses on Getting to Zero—from zero new HIV infections to zero discrimination to zero AIDS related deaths.

“It’s exciting to see Colorado’s nonprofit community come together for this year’s campaign, said Amy Dickson, PPRM vice president of clinical services. Getting to zero stands for a push towards greater access to treatment for all and a call for governments to act now—all the organizations involved in this year’s event touch on some aspect of this overarching theme. Planned Parenthood is so proud to offer the community free HIV testing on Dec. 1. Testing is the first step to prevention.”

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their recommendation for HIV testing to begin at age 16 for some teens, stigma, fear, judgment and other barriers continue to get in the way of routine testing. Every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV and 1 in 5 individuals don’t know that they are HIV positive.

“Thirty years ago the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in the Unites States. While we have made huge advancements in treatment we still have a large distance to travel. We estimate that there are about 11,000 people in Colorado who are known to be living with HIV. And 2000-3000 are living with HIV, but are not yet diagnosed. Approximately 430 people are diagnosed with HIV in Colorado each year. The Obama administration has developed a national strategy which is to serve as a concise plan for moving the country forward, but knowing your status is still the most important step an individual can take to prevent the spread of HIV,” said Dr. Mark Thrun, medical director, HIV prevention/Denver Public Health.

Testing is simple; PPRM’s HIV test is a finger prick and results are available within 12 minutes or less. On Dec. 1, clients are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to any of the testing locations.

The free testing sites and vigil are just a few of the many events in honor of World AIDS Day. St Paul United Methodist & Inter-Spiritual Community will be hosting a Service of Remembrance & Celebration at The GLBT Community Center of Colorado on Dec. 1 from 4-5 p.m. In addition, CORA is participating in an educational and visibility campaign called Get Your Cake On. Through this effort, bakeries across Colorado are spreading the word through red ribbon cupcakes. During the week of Nov. 28, stop by a participating bakery to get your cake on. Local bakeries participating in this campaign can be found on Facebook.

Gay in the UK: 1 in 20 HIV+?

Troubling statistics? Or good news that people with HIV are living longer?

Recently released data showed that 3,000 gay men in the U.K. were diagnosed with HIV last year, and that 1 in 11 gay men in London have the virus. 

Nationwide, 1 in 20 gay men are infected with the virus.

And this seems like a good time to remind readers that World AIDS Day is tomorrow and that there will be a candelight vigil tomorrow on the west steps of the State Capitol in recognition.

Denver candlelight vigil for World AIDS Day

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is partnering with ONE Colorado, the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS (CORA), and The GLBT Community Center of Colorado to offer free HIV testing locations throughout the Denver Metro Area and Colorado Springs.

A candlelight vigil, open to the public, will also be held on the west steps of the State Capitol beginning at 5:30 p.m. to remember those who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. The vigil will feature guest speakers Dr. Mark Thrun, director of HIV Prevention and STD Control for Denver Public Health and with the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, and Dr. Benjamin Young, executive medical director for Rocky Mountain Cares. Rocky Mountain Cares provides high quality centralized medical care and supportive services to a diverse and inclusive Colorado HIV/AIDS community.

World AIDS Day first originated in 1988. This year’s campaign focuses on Getting to Zero—from zero new HIV infections to zero discrimination to zero AIDS related deaths.

“It’s exciting to see Colorado’s nonprofit community come together for this year’s campaign, said Amy Dickson, PPRM vice president of clinical services. Getting to zero stands for a push towards greater access to treatment for all and a call for governments to act now—all the organizations involved in this year’s event touch on some aspect of this overarching theme. Planned Parenthood is so proud to offer the community free HIV testing on Dec. 1. Testing is the first step to prevention.”

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their recommendation for HIV testing to begin at age 16 for some teens, stigma, fear, judgment and other barriers continue to get in the way of routine testing. Every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV and 1 in 5 individuals don’t know that they are HIV positive.

“Thirty years ago the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in the Unites States. While we have made huge advancements in treatment we still have a large distance to travel. We estimate that there are about 11,000 people in Colorado who are known to be living with HIV. And 2000-3000 are living with HIV, but are not yet diagnosed. Approximately 430 people are diagnosed with HIV in Colorado each year. The Obama administration has developed a national strategy which is to serve as a concise plan for moving the country forward, but knowing your status is still the most important step an individual can take to prevent the spread of HIV,” said Dr. Mark Thrun, medical director, HIV prevention/Denver Public Health.

Testing is simple; PPRM’s HIV test is a finger prick and results are available within 12 minutes or less. On Dec. 1, clients are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to any of the testing locations.

The free testing sites and vigil are just a few of the many events in honor of World AIDS Day. St Paul United Methodist & Inter-Spiritual Community will be hosting a Service of Remembrance & Celebration at The GLBT Community Center of Colorado on Dec. 1 from 4-5 p.m. In addition, CORA is participating in an educational and visibility campaign called Get Your Cake On. Through this effort, bakeries across Colorado are spreading the word through red ribbon cupcakes. During the week of Nov. 28, stop by a participating bakery to get your cake on. Local bakeries participating in this campaign can be found on Facebook.

President Obama Commemorating World AIDS Day

On Thursday, December 1, World AIDS Day, President Obama will speak at an event hosted by the ONE Campaign and (RED), and others who have been so critical in the worldwide fight against AIDS.  The event, called “The Beginning of the End of AIDS,” will take place at George Washington University on Thursday morning. 

A candlelight vigil is planned in Denver on that day coordinated by Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and other local organizations. 

World AIDS Day with BCAP

Over 7,000 people are infected worldwide with HIV everyday, with 33 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day, BCAP honors the approximately 500 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in BCAP’s service area of Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Clear Creek Counties. 

World AIDS Day reinforces the mission of Boulder County AIDS Project, which is twofold: “To provide support, advocacy, and education to those in our community who are infected with or affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and to serve as an outreach and information center to prevent further transmission of HIV and the resulting Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).”

One-hundred percent of the funds raised at the World AIDS Day Concert will go to urgent client basic needs, including medical and oral health, housing, and food—as well as BCAP’s extensive HIV testing and prevention programs. Through the years, BCAP has helped thousands of residents affected by HIV and AIDS. In addition to assisting those living with HIV and AIDS, thousands of residents have benefited from the group’s rapid HIV tests—an important tool to help prevent the spread of the disease in the community. 

Learn more about BCAP’s work at www.bcap.org.

Denver candlelight vigil in honor of World AIDS Day

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is partnering with ONE Colorado, the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS (CORA), and The GLBT Community Center of Colorado to offer free HIV testing locations throughout the Denver Metro Area and Colorado Springs.

A candlelight vigil, open to the public, will also be held on the west steps of the State Capitol beginning at 5:30 p.m. to remember those who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. The vigil will feature guest speakers Dr. Mark Thrun, director of HIV Prevention and STD Control for Denver Public Health and with the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, and Dr. Benjamin Young, executive medical director for Rocky Mountain Cares. Rocky Mountain Cares provides high quality centralized medical care and supportive services to a diverse and inclusive Colorado HIV/AIDS community.

World AIDS Day first originated in 1988. This year’s campaign focuses on Getting to Zero—from zero new HIV infections to zero discrimination to zero AIDS related deaths.

“It’s exciting to see Colorado’s nonprofit community come together for this year’s campaign, said Amy Dickson, PPRM vice president of clinical services. Getting to zero stands for a push towards greater access to treatment for all and a call for governments to act now—all the organizations involved in this year’s event touch on some aspect of this overarching theme. Planned Parenthood is so proud to offer the community free HIV testing on Dec. 1. Testing is the first step to prevention.”

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their recommendation for HIV testing to begin at age 16 for some teens, stigma, fear, judgment and other barriers continue to get in the way of routine testing. Every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV and 1 in 5 individuals don’t know that they are HIV positive.

“Thirty years ago the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in the Unites States. While we have made huge advancements in treatment we still have a large distance to travel. We estimate that there are about 11,000 people in Colorado who are known to be living with HIV. And 2000-3000 are living with HIV, but are not yet diagnosed. Approximately 430 people are diagnosed with HIV in Colorado each year. The Obama administration has developed a national strategy which is to serve as a concise plan for moving the country forward, but knowing your status is still the most important step an individual can take to prevent the spread of HIV,” said Dr. Mark Thrun, medical director, HIV prevention/Denver Public Health.

Testing is simple; PPRM’s HIV test is a finger prick and results are available within 12 minutes or less. On Dec. 1, clients are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to any of the testing locations.

The free testing sites and vigil are just a few of the many events in honor of World AIDS Day. St Paul United Methodist & Inter-Spiritual Community will be hosting a Service of Remembrance & Celebration at The GLBT Community Center of Colorado on Dec. 1 from 4-5 p.m. In addition, CORA is participating in an educational and visibility campaign called Get Your Cake On. Through this effort, bakeries across Colorado are spreading the word through red ribbon cupcakes. During the week of Nov. 28, stop by a participating bakery to get your cake on. Local bakeries participating in this campaign can be found on Facebook or at http://on.fb.me/rX7mtV .

The AIDS Free Generation is due in 2015

Visit www.joinred.com/red to act now to help eliminate AIDS. 

In The Life premieres The Cost of Stigma in honor of World AIDS Day

An estimated 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV. Today, December 1, 2010, we honor World AIDS Day. This month, IN THE LIFE premieres The Cost of Stigma where they look at the power of stigma within our justice system and how the myths and fear that spread with the AIDS epidemic gave rise to laws criminalizing HIV transmission. They also meet researchers who consider stigma as a possible key link between bisexuality and poor health. (Watch the online PREMIERE here.) The segments are: Legalizing Stigma More than 30 states have laws criminalizing HIV exposure, transmission or nondisclosure of an individual's HIV status. IN THE LIFE looks at the stigma and misinformation embedded in laws meant to curb the spread of the disease and the human cost among those who are HIV positive. Bisexuality: The Myths and Medical Truths It is estimated that there are 8.8 million gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the United States. Researchers have found that bisexual women fare the worst in health when compared with heterosexuals, gay men and lesbians. The state of Massachusetts has taken the lead in looking at this health disparity, and early indications point to systemic stigma and invisibility among bisexual women as its causes.

Digital Death: Usher's Last Tweet and Testament

WEDNESDAY, December 1^st, WORLD AIDS DAY

R.I.P.

Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Hudson,

Khloe Karshasian, Lenny Kravitz, Jay Sean, Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, The Buried Life, Elijah Wood,

Janelle Monae, Nikki Sixx, Kimberly Cole, David LaChapelle, Daphne Guinness and Bronson Pelletier

ARE ALL DEAD

Keep a Child Alive (KCA) DIGITAL DEATH campaign has launched and is on its way to raising $1 million for those affected by HIV/AIDS

The Only Way to Bring These Celebrities Back to Life on Twitter and Facebook is to Donate Online at www.buylife.org or by Texting the Celebrity’s First Name to 90999.

World AIDS Day: Kirk Montgomery remembers his best friend

Check out Denver entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery's World AIDS Day tribute to his best friend Robb Wilson who passed away from complications due to HIV/AIDS. It's incredibly touching. And I had no idea Kirk could sing like that!

President Obama commemorates World AIDS Day

Today, Obama Administration officials and leaders in the AIDS community will speak at a World AIDS Day event at the White House to reflect on the lessons learned and the path forward in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the United States and around the world.  The White House World AIDS Day Event will include keynote remarks as well as a panel discussion with HIV/AIDS researchers and advocates and will be live streamed at 1:30pm on www.whitehouse.gov/live.

Things to do in Denver When You're Gay: World AIDS Day Edition of Drag Queen Bingo

It might sound like it's in bad taste but it's not! It's the World AIDS Day edition of Drag Queen Bingo tonight at JR's hosted by my oldest and dearest drag queen Nina Montaldo and some young whippersnapper called Shanida Lawya'. You should totally  go.

Digital Death: Kim Kardashian's Last Tweet and Testament

WEDNESDAY, December 1^st, WORLD AIDS DAY

R.I.P.

Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Hudson,

Khloe Karshasian, Lenny Kravitz, Jay Sean, Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, The Buried Life, Elijah Wood,

Janelle Monae, Nikki Sixx, Kimberly Cole, David LaChapelle, Daphne Guinness and Bronson Pelletier

ARE ALL DEAD

Keep a Child Alive (KCA) DIGITAL DEATH campaign has launched and is on its way to raising $1 million for those affected by HIV/AIDS

The Only Way to Bring These Celebrities Back to Life on Twitter and Facebook is to Donate Online at www.buylife.org or by Texting the Celebrity’s First Name to 90999.

Quote of the Day: Ben Cohen

"Do something to raise awareness and make a difference. World Aids Day is all about awareness to help prevent the spread of HIV." - Ben Cohen, rugby player and gay icon

U.S. Reports Encouraging Progress in Saving Lives through Smart Investments

Reflecting America’s commitment to saving lives affected by HIV/AIDS, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) announced encouraging new results achieved by its efforts to support countries in providing HIV prevention, treatment and care to their people. Among these results, the U.S. is directly supporting life-saving antiretroviral treatment for more than 3.2 million men, women and children worldwide as of September 30, 2010, up from less than 2.5 million in 2009. In the coming years, the U.S. has committed to directly support more than four million people on treatment, more than doubling the number of people directly supported on treatment during the first five years of PEPFAR.

Combating HIV/AIDS is a shared global responsibility. In addition to PEPFAR’s direct impact, many also benefit from programs supported by the U.S. and other donors through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Of the estimated 5.2 million individuals in low- and middle-income countries who currently receive treatment, nearly 4.7 million receive support through PEPFAR bilateral programs, the Global Fund, or both. The U.S. is the first and largest donor to the Global Fund, having provided more than $5.1 billion to date and announced an historic multi-year pledge of $4 billion for 2011-2013, a 38 percent increase in U.S. support.

Support for prevention of new HIV infections, and for care and support for those affected by HIV, are other areas in which PEPFAR programs show encouraging progress. PEPFAR directly supported antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission for more than 600,000 HIV-positive pregnant women in fiscal year 2010, allowing more than 114,000 infants to be born HIV-free. Through its partnerships with more than 30 countries, PEPFAR directly supported 11 million people with care and support, including nearly 3.8 million orphans and vulnerable children, in fiscal year 2010 alone. PEPFAR directly supported HIV counseling and testing for nearly 33 million people in fiscal year 2010, providing a critical entry point to prevention, treatment, and care.

Building on these and other global health successes supported by the American people, President Barack Obama put forward an ambitious U.S. Global Health Initiative to support countries as they improve the health of their own people. The Initiative seeks to save the greatest number of lives in a sustainable way by building upon what works. The U.S. will continue to work with the global community to build on success to date by making smart investments to save more lives.

For more information, visit the newly redesigned PEPFAR website, www.PEPFAR.gov.

Digital Death: Justin Timberlake's Last Tweet and Testament

On Wednesday, December 1st, World AIDS Day, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Khloe Karshasian, Lenny Kravitz, Jay Sean, Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, The Buried Life, Elijah Wood, Janelle Monae, Nikki Sixx, Kimberly Cole, David LaChapelle, Daphne Guinness and Bronson Pelletier will end their digital lives and sign off from all social networking platforms including Twitter and Facebook in solidarity for those in Africa & India affected by HIV/AIDS. The participating celebrities will not come back online until their digital lives have been bought back and $1 million has been collectively raised for Keep a Child Alive (KCA), which was co-founded by Alicia Keys and Leigh Blake.

BCAP World AIDS Concert with Denver Gay Men's Chorus

Join BCAP on World AIDS Day in honor of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS at their 2010 World AIDS Day Concert featuring the the Denver Gay Men's Chorus tonight at the First United Methodist Church in Boulder at 7pm.

Call 303-444-6121 for more information.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and Rocky Mountain CARES partner to offer free HIV testing for World AIDS Day

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is partnering with Rocky Mountain CARES to offer free HIV testing at PPRM’s Aurora and Central health centers.  PPRM’s Central health center is located in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

 

Clients are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to either health center for testing. PPRM’s HIV test is a simple finger prick and results are available within 12 minutes or less.

 

“PPRM has consistently provided HIV testing and referrals as part of our comprehensive reproductive health care and basic primary care services and we are proud to partner with Rocky Mountain CARES. Our organizations share the common goal of helping communities affected by and infected with HIV and creating an inclusive, safe environment for those we help, free of stigma and discrimination. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed, responsible choices about their sexual and reproductive health,” said Amy Dickson, PPRM Vice President of Clinical Services.

 

PPRM’s 23 health centers throughout the state offer HIV testing and referrals and patient education year-round in addition to working to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS on and leading up to World AIDS Day. PPRM’s Advocates for Choice campus group at Colorado College will recognize World AIDS Day by hosting activities to help foster discussions about HIV/AIDS and the importance of getting tested.

 

“Considering that one in five people who are living with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their status, we are encouraging people to get tested and to make it a part of their annual health check-ups,” said Dickson.

 

The Colorado AIDS Project estimates that as of Sept. 30, 2008, there were 10,613 people known to be living with HIV/AIDS in Colorado. In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 85 percent of people living in the United States with AIDS are between the ages of 20 and 50.

 

The CDC recommends routine HIV testing for all individuals age 13 to 64. However, stigma, fear, judgment and other barriers continue to get in the way of yearly testing, which is very easy.

 

For more information about PPRM’s free HIV testing on Dec. 1, please visit pprm.org or contact 1-800-230-PLAN.

Celebrities continue to die for World AIDS Day

Today, in honor of World AIDS Day, celebrities including Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Khloe Karshasian, Jay Sean, Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, The Buried Life, Elijah Wood, Janelle Monae, Kimberly Cole, David LaChapelle, Daphne Guinness and Bronson Pelletier will end their digital lives and sign off from all social networking platforms including Twitter and Facebook in solidarity for those in Africa and India affected by HIV/AIDS.  

It will be a Digital Death.

The participating celebrities will not come back online until their digital lives have been bought back and $1 million has been collectively raised for Keep a Child Alive (KCA), which was co-founded by Alicia Keys and Leigh Blake.

The Only Way to Bring Celebrities Back to Life on Twitter and Facebook is to Donate Online at www.buylife.com* or by Texting 90999.

Red Ball - Igniting awareness for World AIDS Day

The second annual Red Ball, an evening of frost and fire igniting awareness for World AIDS Day, is an ultra-chic signature event of Colorado AIDS Project (CAP) that blends a fiery cocktail reception with a hot fashion and frosty hair show. This cutting-edge event is an opportunity to unite high-end local fashion designers, top-notch and innovative hair stylists and exquisite makeup artists to produce an affair never-before-seen in Denver. A sultry after party with hot DJ grooves and a cool atmosphere will round out the evening, drawing local awareness and excitement to World AIDS Day and raising much-needed funds for CAP.