Magazine seeks photos for 'A Day with HIV in America

In this year that marks the 30th anniversary of AIDS, a magazine aimed at those living with HIV is seeking photographs of people for its second annual "A Day with HIV in America."

Positively Aware is inviting people across the country to snap a digital photo of themselves on Wednesday, September 21, as part of the project. People can be with friends or family, at work or at play, or at any moment that helps the world better understand life with HIV.

The stigma behind HIV has gotten much better than it used to be, mostly due to activism that has taken place since the early days, as well a lot of advances in treatment that have progressed over the years.

"But the stigma is still there, unfortunately, at times it's just more subtle," said Jeff Berry, editor of Positively Aware .

Approximately 50,000 new HIV infections are seen each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Berry feels it's because people either don't want to know their status, or are unaware of their status, or unaware of the risks or how to protect themselves or their partners, or at least reduce risk.

Many people are also afraid that treatments will cause side effects that will add to the stigma of living with HIV, but this is not necessarily the case anymore. The treatments are easier to take and not nearly as toxic as they used to be. Most people are living much longer, especially if diagnosed early and placed into treatment. But as Berry pointed out to the Bay Area Reporter, "It's still a lifelong treatment, and it's a huge commitment, and as people live longer we are now dealing with issues such as premature aging and other non-AIDS illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease."

Beginnings

In 1987 a group of 16 individuals were seeking support and information for people living with HIV, and only found organizations for people with AIDS. They decided to create the Test Positive Aware Network. TPAN is an HIV service organization located in Chicago that offers information, support, testing and referrals for people living with HIV and those at risk for HIV. TPAN also published the bi-monthly magazine Positively Aware , the leading nonprofit HIV treatment publication in the U.S., with a circulation of over 100,000.

Berry tested positive in 1989 and heard about TPAN at the clinic where he was receiving services. He began attending support groups, which later led to volunteering. He joined the staff full time in the fall of 1992.

He became editor of Positively Aware in 2005. Last year, a website promoting a simple but powerful project was created. A Day with HIV in America was founded with the simple idea of portraying a "day in the life" of HIV.

"On one single day, September 21, people both HIV-positive and negative, will take a photo to show the rest of us what it means to live in a world with HIV," said Berry. "By creating a community of individuals, who all come together on this one, single day, we can help to tear away at the stigma of living with the virus. And by so doing we can show that yes, we are all affected by HIV, but we're also able to overcome the challenges it presents by joining forces and coming together."

Locally San Francisco resident Jason Villalobos, who is gay and HIV-positive and has been featured in the Greater Than AIDS campaigns, plans to take part.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity to tell my story by way of a photograph because it gives me the opportunity to show the world a group of happy, healthy young men living with HIV in a way that isn't lonely or depressing," he said of his plans to gather with other young people for a group photo. "We're sexy, hip, and we're confident, attributes not normally associated with the disease."

A Day with HIV in America's website is full of tips, examples, and ideas for shooting a photo. Anyone can get involved by taking a picture on September 21 and submitting it online.

Berry suggests talking with friends and family for support and ideas. There is a Facebook page and the official Twitter hashtag will be #adwhiv. Selected photos will run in the November/December issue of Positively Aware, and all of the submitted photos will appear on the website. The photo essay will be showcased at the United States Conference on AIDS in Chicago in November. A music video, "I Will" by Marshall Titus, which was directed by photographer/videographer John Gress, and inspired by A Day with HIV in America, has also been created.

For more information please visit http://www.adaywithhivinamerica.com.