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Big dyke Energy

August 19, 2020

Big dyke Energy By Onyx Appleberry  always been just a dyke when i was born? baby dyke as a kid? dyke in training as an adult? prime dyke & when i’m dead i’ll be dusty dyke hopefully legend dyke i’m so dyke the dutch accidentally invented me had to reinvent when they realized i don’t stop floods, but start them so dyke that i...
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The importance of self-care for communities of color

July 30, 2020

By Ashley Brown July is Minority Mental Health Month! Created in 2008, the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the distinct challenges faced by marginalized groups in accessing resources and care for mental illness. It is named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell , an American author, journalist and teacher who advocated...
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Before you book your next gynecology appointment, read this (doctors, you too)

July 16, 2020

By Bailey Williams   It happens once a year: The pesky little reminder goes off in your phone letting you know it’s time to schedule your annual gynecology exam. You try to mentally prepare yourself, but this visit, your OB-GYN says something unexpected. “Have you heard of PrEP?” When you shake your head, she goes on to inform you that PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)...
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Meet Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: a Black Queer Muslim HIV+ activist who has been fighting racism within LGBTQ+ spaces for years

June 26, 2020

Photo credit:  Louie Ortiz-Fonseca, The gran varones By Bailey Williams You might not know the name Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, but you probably know about Philadelphia’s More Color More Pride Flag: the one that expanded the colors of the original rainbow flag to include black and brown stripes with the traditional rainbow...
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Meet Marc: A T2 athlete and ER trauma nurse working on the front lines of COVID-19

May 20, 2020

By Bailey Williams  A 26-year-old pregnant woman started experiencing sinus-related symptoms and assumed it was pneumonia. Instead, she tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and had to be intubated at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois. An older woman in the same hospital also tested positive for COVID-19 but begged to not receive a breathing tube. If it came...
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For our communities, masks present a safety challenge

May 15, 2020

By Luricela Arguello  Many have uttered phrases expressing the vast differences in our lives during this new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Even in this world of significant challenges due to stay-at-home orders, one thing remains the same: Black and Latino/Latinx people continue to face disproportionate discrimination. Even in this health crisis, racism and bigotry still flourish...
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AFC helps returning citizens living with HIV shelter in place

May 5, 2020

By Bailey Williams Imagine: you have been recently living at Cook County Jail, one of the epicenters for the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite still having time left in your sentence, you are notified you’ll be one of the hundreds of people released to decrease crowding in the jail.   Despite the jail‘s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, as of May 4,...
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Turning Point: remarks from President/CEO John Peller at 2019 annual meeting

April 26, 2020

AFC's 2019 Annual Report: Turning Point Review photos from the event Hi, everyone! Thank you all so much for coming out tonight, and thank you, Terri, for introducing me and for stepping up to lead our Board. You and I have run, swum and biked together through our endurance event program TEAM TO END AIDS so many times, and I’m glad to be alongside you on this new journey...
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Sexperts! Know your options for HIV prevention!

April 9, 2020

Remember when we could swipe through Tinder, meet up with someone new and later have an amazing sexual encounter? Though the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is keeping us indoors, the time will come when we're able to enjoy in-person sex outside our homes. When that day arrives, you'll want to know what preventive options are available.  Thankfully, you have options to prevent...
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AFC innovates to meet increased need for food, financial assistance amid coronavirus

April 6, 2020

By Bailey Williams Prior to March 13, Alex Delakis spent most of his day meeting with people living with HIV in their homes and at public establishments like McDonald's. As a medical case manager for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), Alex coordinated clients' medical care and associated services such as financial assistance and transportation. In the last few weeks, the routine...
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