UPCOMING CONFERENCE - Sex in the City: Men, Sex, Love, and HIV

WHEN: Thursday, September 16, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: University Center, 525 S. State Street

The conference is a one day event that will explore how HIV/AIDS is impacting African American gay and bisexual men, as well as other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chicago. Fueled in part by persistent silence and stigma, the health disparities impacting these men have created unacceptably high rates of HIV that rival those in sub-Suharan Africa. What is already happening to address these disparities, and what's missing?

The oneday conference will include plenary sessions and workshops focusing on the co-factors of HIV such as, substance abuseand violence.  This event brings together national and local activists, researchers, and service-providers to share local experiences and develop collaborative strategies for confronting the unique health challenges facing our diverse communities.

The conference offers the opportunity to network, build on our skill sets and develop action plans.  The conference is for persons with experience in prevention education, treatment and adherence education such as health care providers, prevention and community health workers, nurses, health educators, program directors, social workers, case managers, and many others.

Join Us and be part of the answer.

AFC Helps Launch the Chicago Female Condom Campaign

A ubiquitous nugget of pop culture advice (“Put a ring on it!”) is the tagline of a new public awareness campaign launched today by a coalition of health organizations that aims to increase the use of a new-and-improved female condom among both women and men.

Timed to coincide with the observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10), the initiative is the brainchild of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign, a coalition of HIV/AIDS, reproductive justice, women’s health, and gay men’s health organizations that is working to boost awareness, accessibility and availability of female condoms.

The female condom is currently the only barrier method that can be controlled by the receptive partner, allowing both women and men to take control of their health in preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. READ MORE (PDF).

Visit the campaign's website, RingOnIt.org.



AFC Unveils Resources for Black Churches

	In commemoration of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is unveiling a set of tools and resources created specifically to help Black churches spark discussions about HIV/AIDS in their communities and with their congregants.

What Can You Do?

• Learn more about the Chicago Female Condom Campaign
• Download resources for Black Churches
• Join Faith Responds to AIDS (PDF)
• Know the Facts
• Get a FREE "Tragic Trend" HIV/AIDS Awareness Poster (PDF)
• Join AFC's Statewide Advocacy Network
• Download the "It Takes A Village" Brochure (PDF)