It’s almost Census time, and while it might seem scary, the Census is important, safe, and easier to complete than you may think.
by Anthony Ruth
In 2010, Dan Savage started “It Gets Better,” Lady Gaga wore the meat dress, Oprah still had her daytime talk show, and everyone with a smartphone—which wasn’t yet everyone—was playing Angry Birds....
Read more...
By Zac Hansen
I am a runner by choice rather than natural inclination. And that choice came about because I was a coward.
I pride myself on three key components: self-sufficiency, planning well and limiting risk. The first I gained by being gay in a world with limited support. The final two I adopted after I became the victim of a hate crime that left me stabbed, bleeding...
Read more...
This year for World AIDS Day, we celebrated how communities make a difference in supporting our movement to eliminate HIV stigma, create equity and justice for people living with HIV and chronic conditions and to end the HIV epidemic. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) mobilizes communities on World AIDS Day and every day. Watch the videos below to learn how our colleagues at AFC support people...
Read more...
By Rosalyn Murga, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
[UPDATED Dec. 9, 2019]
Editor’s note – A year after publishing this piece to our blog, threats to immigrant, refugee and asylum-seeker communities have not let up. Immigration is still a topic that frequents our news cycle, and misinformation about these communities persist. This holiday season (and every day!),...
Read more...
By Raven Feagins
“I used to wonder, like, ‘What am I here for? What is my purpose in life?’ And I have a purpose now,” said Valerie Linzy, an upbeat, big-hearted mother of six. “There are some young ladies who are going to come behind me from doing sex work that are going to come up HIV-positive that are going to need to know how to live … Here I am...
Read more...
By Raven Feagins
Bruce Pelletier was born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest side in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. His Chicago roots are noticeable not only because of his accent. He also has that outgoing, Midwestern charm that you would expect from any life-long resident of the city.
Bruce has had his share of obstacles and challenges in life, but one of the biggest struggles...
Read more...
World of Chocolate 2019 is in just a few days! Check out our interview with Journey Shannon of Noir d'Ébène Chocolat et Patisserie , who is one of 20 amazing chocolatiers who will be featured on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Revel Fulton Market. Click here to buy your tickets and get ready to indulge at our premiere World AIDS Day event!...
Read more...
Marketplace Open Enrollment begins Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 and ends Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 .
Plan begins Jan. 1, 2020
To make sure you have health insurance for 2020, you have to enroll between Nov. 1, 2019 and Dec. 15, 2019 . If you miss the Dec. 15 deadline, you could be locked out of health insurance until 2021 AND forced to pay 100% of your medical bills. It’s not worth...
Read more...
Making the decision to give birth can be both exciting and full of unknowns, especially if you or your partner is living with HIV. However, with advancements in science and knowledge around HIV, it is possible for people living with HIV to have healthy pregnancies and give birth to children without HIV while under the guidance of HIV and pregnancy specialists.
We connected with Anne Statton,...
Read more...
By Raven Feagins
One night in 1991, 23-year-old Chancelor Cunningham woke up unable to breathe. He had been previously diagnosed with bronchitis, but this time he was admitted into the former Michael Reese Hospital in Bronzeville for an extended stay. It turned out he had pneumonia. Chancelor’s mom stayed by his side, even sometimes staying the night, and continuously advocated for...
Read more...
