Blog 10- Bestiality

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Blog 9- Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS)

This past week, I couldn't help thinking of my friend by home. Just like last week the rumors are still present but it seems that she is not only HIV positive but pregnant as well. I can't imagine what she must be going through, if the rumors are true. I tried to call her a few times but I was able to reach her. I want to be there for her but how can I be of any help if she does'nt even want me there? Then again it's probably just rumors.

While browsing the web this weekend I came accross this organization known as Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS)
Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) is the grassroots mobilization of black women in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Launched on June 20, 2008, SOS encourages black women living in Florida to get tested where they live, work, play, and worship. Since its launch, eight local SOS conferences have been conducted, 7544 people have taken the online pledge, and over 100,000 black women in Florida were tested in 2010.
The SOS initiative focuses on the following endeavors:

• To educate black women about HIV/AIDS and how other STDs, hepatitis and substance abuse increase their risk.
• To empower black women to take charge of and control their sexual health.
• To connect black women to HIV/AIDS resources.
• To offer tools that enable black women to educate others where they live, work, play, and worship.

	http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wemakethechange.com%2F&h=36625

They have a conference every year and last year conference was in Fort Lauderdale. "The conference is designed to educate women about the impact of HIV/AIDS and develop an
action plan that prevents the further spread of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDS) among Black women in Broward County. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss
this issue with doctors, community providers and other health professionals who are experts in the
treatment of and education about HIV/AIDS, STDs, human sexuality, and the provision of mental
health services" (Sistas Organizing to Survive and APA, 2010).

(2010, April 26). Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) Education and Empowerment Conference Schedule for Thursday, May 6, 2010. Retreived from http://browardchd.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=4LcYUHAe8Io%3D&tabid=113

Did You Know!!!!

There are people out there who still think that straight people don't get HIV. I am sorry to say but if someone tells me that I'll ask him if he or she have been leaving under a rock for the past decades. I know people don't want to talk about it much but I think they should at least know how common it is and how fast it is spreading. According to the Well Project "The majority of HIV positive people worldwide are heterosexual. Risk is not about labeling people; it is about behavior" (The Well Project and APA, 2010).

The Well Project. (2010, July). Myths about HIV. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art58887.html

Blog 8- What a week!!!

 Ladadee, Haiti- picture taking by Lydie Joseph

THE WEEK AFTER SPRING!!!! Can I say disaster!!!! Good thing I had fun in the cruise. I met a lot interesting people and plenty of vitamin D. I was feeling great until I get back in Orlando last Sunday night and found out that my house lock was change and i had to come up with a grand to get in. The funny part about the story is that security or whoever was in charge made a mistake and evicted the wrong person.  So I had to crash at a friend house that night because the person in charge wasn't in until the next day. Yes, I know life can be so unfair to the innocent.

When I came back from the cruise last weekend, there was a rumor going around that one of my childhood friend is HIV positive. We've lost contact since I've moved to Orlando last year, so I don't know if I should call her and ask or wait until she tells me? I want to be there for her if the rumors are true but I don't want to break the little we have left of our friend if the rumors are false. I am so confused!!!! For right now, I'll just act like I didn't hear anything. It's probably safer.

DID YOU KNOW!!!
Bathing after sex can prevent HIV and Aids!!!
This myth was first emerged in 2006 during the rape trial of South African President Jacob Zuma who stated that he took a bath after he had knowing had unprotected sexual relation with an infected woman.  According to the counselling manager of the National Aids Helpline, Hope Mhlongo, the president's statement created a lot of confusion throughout the nation.
The South African HIV Clinicians Society hopes to reduce the damage by reiterating that:

The most effective protection from HIV that a person can use during sex is the correct and consistent use of condoms;

Showering or bathing will not prevent HIV transmission and in the case of women, douching (washing of the vagina) may even increase the risk of HIV transmission;

Not using safe-sex practices, including the use of a condom when one has multiple sexual partners, shows reckless disregard for your partners' health; and

All South Africans who are sexually active should find out their HIV status regularly. It is taking responsibility for your own health (Green and Gordin, 2006).

Green, J. and Gordin, J. (2006, April 10). Zuma's 'Shower Theory' Causing Confusion. Retreived from http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/zuma-s-shower-theory-causing-confusion-1.273500

Blog 7- Spring Break is Here!!!!!!

Hey Guys,
                I hope everyone is as excited as I am for Sprint Break. Yay!!!! I am counting down the days.  Monday around this time, I'll be on a ship cruising to Labadee, Haiti and Jamaica. I can't wait, I know I'll have a lot of fun. BUT... it also reminded me of the scenario from the QOTW#2. So, I'll minize my drinks to two cups per day instead of my regular six cups.
 
In regard of this week QOTW, I found that "the White House Office of National AIDS Policy's official strategy aims to reduce new infections by 25 percent in five years through better education and screening among higher risk populations, including young people" (HIV: Myths Persist and APA, 2011)."Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia already require schools to provide HIV/AIDS instruction, although these laws vary, according to the Guttmacher Institute" (HIV: Myths Persist and APA, 2011).


DID YOU KNOW!!!!
One-third of all new HIV infections occur in young people between the ages of 13 and 29. And according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll in 2009, nearly 30 percent believed  that HIV is spread through water in a swimming pool or by sharing a drinking glass. "The National AIDS strategy recommends schools improve current education by providing accurate and more age-appropriate information about the biological aspects of the infection. The office promotes programs that cover abstaining, delaying or limiting sexual activity but that also ensure sexually active young people know how to protect themselves" (HIV: Myths Persist and APA, 2011).

HIV: Myths Persist. (2011). State Legislatures, 37(1), 11. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/ehost/detail?hid=122&sid=e7eb5ed9-72d5-495f-a351-a8778742c828%40sessionmgr114&vid=3&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=57429749