AFC's Community Organizer Maxx Boykin attended the first Movement for Black Lives Convening on July 24-26 in Columbus, OH, a weekend-long gathering of people uniting to bring racial justice for Black Americans to fruition. He captured photos throughout the weekend, including a moment when he and several other Convening attendees were pepper-sprayed by local police . HIV's disproportionate...
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By Elijah McKinnon, Digital Communications Coordinator
This time last year, I sat across the table from Joseph Varisco as he introduced me to Queer, Ill & Okay — a performance series that examines chronic illness in a new light. Located in a crowded café in Logan Square, the Chicago-based performance artist, producer, documentarian and teacher unpacked the intricate...
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In last year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, a team of only 11 fun-loving people raised more than $15,000 for Season of Concern, an organization that supports people in Chicago who are experiencing a chronic illness like HIV and AIDS.
That success comes largely because of the work of Mike Checuga, a Season of Concern board member and their AIDS Run & Walk Chicago team co-captain...
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by Elijah McKinnon
Digital Communications Coordinator, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 16, 2012, Truvada for PrEP has sparked many controversial narratives about the future of HIV prevention — and sex in general.
What’s clear is that PrEP works — and that it’s not a one-size-fits-all...
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Stigma: In and Out is a monthly series profiling the clients, providers and leaders of AFC's Corrections Case Management program, which helps HIV-positive people emerging from prison or jail get the support they need upon reentry.
On a regular workday, Bridgette Funches is awake before the sun comes up, preparing for her day. She arrives to her office at 7 a.m. to prepare for...
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by Jessica Terlikowski
Director of Prevention Technology Education, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
This year’s International Conference on HIV Treatment and Prevention Adherence brought researchers, advocates and others in the HIV field to Miami from June 28-30 to discuss the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in preventing new infections and supporting the health of people...
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by Megan Moran, development assistant
Not many people have sat face-to-face with Governor Bruce Rauner since his January 2015 inauguration and been offered the chance to represent their community in conversation with him. But Roy Ballesteros did — and he has done so much more on behalf of the HIV community in Springfield this spring.
Ten years ago, Ballesteros wouldn't have...
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by Lawrence Turner
Imagine: You are an 18-year-old transgender woman in America today. Your parents no longer take care of you; you need housing, a job, a community, medical care and so much more, but discrimination and ignorance is keeping you from accessing these basic human needs.
Or imagine this: You are a young woman who is sexually active, and you do not feel safe talking to...
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This article is the third in AFC’s Cuts to the Cascade series, which focuses on the people, programs and communities representing columns of the HIV treatment cascade . All of the Cuts to the Cascade subjects are under threat of losing vital state support as a result of Governor Rauner’s proposed cuts to the Illinois budget.
Behind thirty front doors...
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The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) commemorated its 30th year of action in the HIV/AIDS community with a celebratory gala on Saturday, May 16, at the Hilton Chicago. The milestone event hosted 680 guests and raised significant funds for ongoing prevention, care and advocacy services in the fight against HIV epidemic nationwide. Actress Amy Landecker, of the Golden Globe award-winning series...
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