Watch Me, Myself & HIV on World AIDS Day (Weds on MTV)
November 29, 2010
One of my best cyberpals and HIV/AIDS advocate, Gilles Denizot, made me aware of an event he is participating in to commemorate World AIDS Day.
From the Facebook Event page:
“The Benson AIDS Series, founded in 1990 by Downtown Music Productions and Mimi Stern-Wolfe, has promoted the work of gifted composers, musicians and poets who are fighting HIV/AIDS, and preserved the creative legacy of those who have already died. The series was named for Eric BENSON (1946-1988), a singer, actor, musician, director and friend.“
To see the full program, click here, and click on “SEE MORE” under Event Info
If you’re in NYC, you should think about attending the Benson World AIDS Day concert this Wednesday at 8 pm. Wish I could go hear Gilles sing. Since I can’t, I’m going to support the Facebook group he founded, The Red Ribbon Army, and change my profile pic to a Red Ribbon.
Join the Army by clicking on Gilles
My good friends at MTV Staying Alive are debuting a one-off reality show on HIV/AIDS this Wednesday as well, it’s called “Me, Myself & HIV”, and follows the lives of two young people- Angelikah Demonikah and Slim Banda- as they navigate the realities of dating and being HIV positive. It’s well worth watching! Check the MTV Staying Alive Facebook page for air dates, or your local listings.
Check out the Me, Myself & HIV promo here!
Hope everyone has a great week. Let’s remember those we lost, and honor their spirits by raising awareness that HIV is preventable while living our own positoid lives with dignity and hope.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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The Poz 100… Poz’s Sexiest Man Alive?
November 29, 2010
In the recent issue of Poz, the magazine listed 100 activists and educators in the HIV/AIDS community- The Poz 100. I read on twitter that ACT UP Wisconsin thought it seemed a little elitist. It’s a tough call, because there are so many people out there doing incredible work. I’m thankful for the list because it makes me aware of people’s work whom otherwise I’d have remained in the dark.
Full disclosure- I’m on the Poz 100 list.
I know quite a few folks who I look up to who aren’t on the list. I could list them here, but I’d probably accidentally leave someone out and make myself vulnerable to a lingering awkwardness, so I’ll refrain from listing anyone at this particular time. All in all, I do think the Poz 100 list is a fun idea, and a reminder of the many fields in which we must continue to focus our energies- whether it’s education, the political arena, prevention, etc…
If, for some reason the Poz 100 is a gateway issue to other considerations in the community, such as an annual Poz’s Sexiest Man Alive, I figure it’s not too early to throw my hat into that ring. One look at the photo below, and I think you’ll understand why it would be damn near criminal not to have this positoid (or this picture) on the cover of that issue.
If a Sexiest Man (With AIDS) Alive issue ever comes to actual fruition, I look forward to the honor, which shouldn’t be too far off in the distance.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Bad Blood: This Month’s Issue of Poz Magazine
November 24, 2010
This month’s issue of Poz Magazine is now online- in it I had the pleasure of interviewing Marilyn Ness about her powerful and enlightening documentary, Bad Blood, which details the treatment history of people with hemophilia and how HIV impacted the community in the 1980′s and beyond. The documentary is incredible, and I hope after reading the interview with the filmmaker you’ll consider going to the official Bad Blood site to learn more about Marilyn’s film.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Talking the AIDS Talk on College Campuses
November 11, 2010
Last week, Gwenn and I were on the road speaking, and it was a leisurely trip as far as travel is concerned. We packed up our own car, forgoing airplanes and rental cars, and drove to Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
After a great program there, we went to the University of Delaware, and then on to Harford Community College. Everyone treated us well, and we answered questions about how Gwenn and I handle HIV in our relationship. The work we do is really fulfilling, and it’s hard to believe this year marks our 10th year of traveling the country educating about HIV prevention and sexual health. In that time, I’ve turned into a bit of homebody, and admittedly it is hard to peel myself from my own bed sometimes, but it’s always the travel I dread, and never the work I try to do.
I see that work as equal parts prevention and letting people know that- if they are already living with an incurable STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)- they can find love and are capable of having healthy relationships. Sometimes in prevention work, the importance of this is lost, and I’m glad that we focus on that aspect of things. I do so, because I can still remember the feeling of seeing HIV prevention messages in the late 80′s, when I was a teenager. Already diagnosed, I felt awful whenever I saw someone say that HIV was a death sentence, or that there was no hope of ever having a normal existence again after a diagnosis.
I’m extremely grateful for my life, that I have just enough energy to do what I can to help out in all of this. Sometimes, when the fatigue really sets in and I wake up after a full night’s sleep feeling completely unrested, it’s frustrating as hell when I think about it too much. But last month, when that first 6 am flight came up, I felt good. I guess with Gwenn, I always feel safe- that can’t be understated. I know that if I’m pushing myself too hard, she’ll be there to keep me in check.
And that support goes both ways.
Guess I’m going in lots of different directions with my train of thought here. But that’s how it goes sometimes. Basically, what I’m trying to get across is that I’m more than happy to do my part, and my hope is that everyone who is newly diagnosed can one day experience the peace of mind and feeling of being loved that I never take for granted.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Religious Leaders Doing Something About HIV
November 10, 2010
Last month I posted about my general frustration with how the church has handled HIV prevention. Well, imagine my delight when I received an email about a Brown University researcher, Amy Nunn (really her name!), who has partnered with around 100 pastors in the Philadelphia area to address the high rates of infection there.
The week-long awareness programs are taking place now, and are addressing the importance of HIV testing, the high price of stigma as it relates to infection rates and why the African American community must bridge the gap between faith and the realities of AIDS in modern-day America.
Amy Nunn sums it up best:
“If HIV/AIDS researchers like me really want to impact the epidemic, we
have to change the way we do business,” Nunn said. “Writing articles
isn’t enough; we have to get out of our offices to partner with leaders
in communities who are affected, and have to work collectively to
impact public policy.”
I love this. I hope these churches continue to make HIV a topic of discussion with their congregations, because nothing but good things can come from that.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
To learn more, check out Brown University’s press release here. Thanks to David Orenstein for passing along the information!
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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America Has Teabagged Itself
November 4, 2010
They say anything is possible in this country, and it just happened. A sexual act once thought impossible was performed on Tuesday when America successfully teabagged itself.
Earlier this week, Editor-in-Chief of Poz Magazine, Regan Hofmann, blogged about why the AIDS community should vote and care about Tuesday’s election. It’s worth the read, especially if it’s bittersweet after the election’s results. By the way, when you’re done with it, could you pass the mouthwash please?
Thanks.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Hope You Had a Happy Halloween
November 1, 2010
Hope you had a happy Halloween! From me as Shaggy, Gwenn as Scooby Doo. And our pals, Velma (Lauren), Evie (Scrappy), Micah (Fred) and Christina (Daphne).
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
LIFE IN PHOTOS
Shit got whack at da coffee shop today.
One of my #Halo friends is a vicious monster who will attack the moment you turn your back to him. Every Team Slayer match is basically 3 on 5 with him involved. The game should have trials for war crimes as a game mode.
Yesterday the neighbor's cat paid us a visit. His name is Hobbes, and it was our first meeting. He is very friendly.
I know what you all want, and it isn't pasty European Heavyweight champions... it's me drinking iced mochas. Behold.
Speaking About Sexual Health
Since 2000, Shawn and Gwenn have been speaking about sexual health together, sharing their personal story and empowering others to be safe. If you are interested in having them speak at your event, fill out the Contact Us form.
Check out Shawn's music and buy his book, My Pet Virus, which is now available on Kindle!
It will be the funniest book you've ever read about someone having AIDS... guaranteed!