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Fighting for Black liberation in Chicago

December 22, 2015

Maxx Boykin on stigma, Laquan McDonald and the end of state and community violence A steady fire is burning in Chicago. The flames of racial injustice have licked the edges of one of America’s largest and most powerful cities since long before the Great Chicago Fire. Almost one month ago, that fire was fed by the release of a video — a video showing one more example...
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Envisioning health equity: Bhuttu Mathews' story from rock-bottom to redemption

December 17, 2015

by Mirhanda Alewine, communications coordinator Bhuttu Mathews, a member of Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP), uses his experiences as an immigrant and person living with HIV to advocate for other Illinoisans experiencing health inequity. Take a moment to imagine that everyone has access to health care, regardless of race, sex, gender, age, socioeconomic status...
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Section 1557: a tool in the fight against HIV discrimination

December 15, 2015

by Ernesto Flores HIV Prevention Justice Alliance Fellow Since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March 2010, reports show that 11.4 million people became newly insured between 2010 and 2014 , and the number of uninsured dropped to about 11% in 2015 . Of those people, about 48,000 people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) are among those who recently enrolled...
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No day but today: RENT cast sets stage for HIV awareness

November 24, 2015

by Eryn MacNeil, Fundraising Associate World AIDS Day is approaching fast, and what better way to spend it than seeing one of the pop culture events that helped make many people aware of HIV in 1996? Artists Giving Back is putting on a production of RENT on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in honor of World AIDS Day, and to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). Artists Giving Back...
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#SleepOutCHI in 10 tweets

November 24, 2015

On Friday, Nov. 20, nearly 400 people — about half of whom camped overnight — showed up at Chicago's Cricket Hill at Montrose and Lake Michigan to brave the season's first snowfall at the Out in the Open Sleep Out . Out in the Open is the first project of Pride Action Tank , a new, results-driven group that addresses challenges facing individuals and groups...
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"A shared vision is a vision shared": Caprice Carthans discusses trans health care

November 19, 2015

by Mirhanda Alewine, communications coordinator Caprice Carthans, a trans woman of color and one of the co-chairs of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's Integrated Community Advisory Board (CAB), has made healthcare advocacy for Chicago's community of trans women her mission.   When I finally set foot on Carthans’ block in Chicago’s Marquette Park...
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#WTSWNTS: When discussing STIs and HIV via dating apps

October 22, 2015

There’s no denying that the birth of apps and websites like Grindr, Tinder and OKCupid have forever changed the dating landscape. According to a study conducted by the University of California-Berkeley, one in 10 Americans have used a dating site or mobile app. But how do you go about discussing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) via dating apps without putting a damper...
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What to say // What not to say: STIs and dating apps

October 5, 2015

By Elijah McKinnon, Digital Communications Coordinator “What to say // What not to say” is a series that explores the nuances associated with navigating topics related to HIV and AIDS, sexual health and relationships. There’s no denying that the birth of apps and websites like Grindr, Tinder and OKCupid have forever changed the dating landscape. According...
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#AIDSRUNWALKCHICAGO in 10 tweets

September 29, 2015

Over 2,500 Chicagoans enjoyed a beautiful Saturday and raised over $377,000 at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. In its fourteenth year, thousands of walkers, runners and volunteers from all walks of life gathered to put an end to the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS at our largest grassroots fundraising event. Take a peek at 10 tweets from Saturday that capture the energy, optimism and new voices that...
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Quiz: What's the future of HIV, STI and pregnancy prevention?

September 16, 2015

HIV, STI and pregnancy prevention comes in many shapes, sizes, textures and forms — and there's definitely room for improvement. Take this quiz to see how you can shape the future of sexual health!    
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