Hartford Hosts "HIV Equal," Anti-Stigma and HIV Testing Initiative

On February 15, the popular anti-stigma social media campaign HIV Equal, founded by Norwalk-based World Health Clinicians (WHC), will join the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective for a day-long testing event and photo shoot as part of its national testing and anti-stigma initiative. The event is free and open to the community.

"We're excited to be joining with another local organization that helps to reach the LGBTQ Community here in Connecticut," said Dr. Gary Blick, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of World Health Clinicians. "Today, nearly 1.2 million Americans are estimated to be living with the virus. And the most affected and at-risk community is men aged 13-34. Data from 2010 cites that over 90 percent of new HIV infections are found in men who fall within that age demographic.

The HIV Equal testing and anti-stigma photo campaign illustrates that everyone is equally valuable regardless of their HIV status. It recently returned from events in Los Angeles, New York and Norwalk where it earned the support of celebrities, models, athletes and notable politicians, which have all helped to garner greater visibility in affected communities in each city and across the U.S.

Some of the names attached to the campaign include U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT), West Hollywood Council Member John Duran, voiceover actor Ben Patrick Johnson, actress Amy Paffrath, YouTube sensation and "American Idol" finalist Todrick Hall, Tony-award winner Billy Porter, Broadway star Nick Adams, Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis and many others.

Participants who sign up to take a photo will also take an HIV test with an on-hand health professional as part of a greater effort to help end the fear around HIV testing. The test is confidential and involves a quick mouth swab with results in 20 minutes. In the event that an individual does test 'reactive' for HIV antibodies, on-hand staff is prepared with the necessary counseling and linkage to care.

WHC understands both the human and the financial cost of HIV/AIDS, and has developed HIV Equal through a social media strategy of visibility to encourage people across the U.S., and across the globe, to get tested and to know their HIV status. It will continue to push for greater visibility through its own social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"Through HIV Equal, we hope to continue utilizing social media to increase awareness of HIV and HIV testing. Our message is simple: Get tested. Know your status," said Blick.

World Health Clinicians, Inc. is a U.S.-based non-profit humanitarian organization founded in September 2010 by U.S. HIV/AIDS specialist Dr. Gary Blick and Executive Director Scott Gretz to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections in the developed and developing world.

HIV Equal is an international multimedia campaign that aims to end HIV stigma and promote HIV testing by creating a social art movement that reignites the dialogue about HIV/AIDS. The concept of HIV Equal was founded by World Health Clinicians and co-created by Jack Mackenroth, a long-time HIV activist and Project Runway alumnus, and celebrity photographer Thomas Evans.

The campaign photos include people from all walks of life who support the concept that regardless of one's HIV status, we are all equally valuable. To help promote HIV testing, every person who takes part in the campaign will first be tested for HIV. As the campaign grows, it will help to take the fear out of HIV testing. And as young people see their role models in the photos, they will want to become a part of the HIV Equal movement, as well.

"HIV Equal" will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 at the HGLHC offices, located at 1841 Broad Street in Hartford, CT.