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Author: ooot

supporting-a-loved-one-with-hiv:-7-things-not-to-say

Supporting A Loved One With HIV: 7 Things Not To Say

You’re a great friend. You’re ready and willing to help your loved ones work through anything that has come their way. You are prepared to always be there for them. But then, something comes along that you’re not prepared for: Your loved one has HIV

world-aids-day-2016:-seeing-the-glass

World AIDS Day 2016: Seeing The Glass

Today is December 1, the annual observance of World AIDS Day. Every year, on this day, we are surrounded by messages from organizations and individuals, asking us to remember those we have lost, encouraging us to stay strong as we continue to move through this

this-world-aids-day,-let’s-talk-about-prep

This World AIDS Day, Let’s Talk About PrEP

World AIDS Day makes me thankful for the achievements made to subdue the epidemic since it reared its ugly head in the 1980s. I was working for New York City’s Health and Hospital Corporation then. I was responsible for figuring out how many beds we

the-connection-between-hiv-and-domestic-violence

The Connection Between HIV and Domestic Violence

We think of women’s health issues in boxes (the diabetes box, the depression box, the hypertension box). But, in fact, our health concerns are more like a maze of rooms with doors that lead from one space to another. Take HIV. We think of it

what’s-wrong-with-being-a-whore?

What’s Wrong With Being a Whore?

The question was raised recently during a conference that focused on HIV in the U.S. and how we can increase awareness of the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) that prevents HIV infection in HIV-negative people. At the close of the conference, one of the speakers asked

pregnant,-homeless-and-hiv-positive

Pregnant, Homeless and HIV-positive

In 2003, I was pregnant, homeless, and HIV-positive. But worst of all, I felt completely helpless and had nowhere to turn for help. I received my diagnosis after my senior year of high school. In college, I thought I might be pregnant. I went to