Poz-guy-looking-for-love - POZ GUY

on this date in 1981, the new york times printed an article with the headline “rare cancer seen in 41 homosexuals.” this headline is historic because it is the first mention of what would become the hiv epidemic. at this time, on this date in 1981, the epidemic didn’t have a name. 

even after 36, it is still chilling to read this headline because it is a sobering reminder of all that the world didn’t know about hiv. what caused it? how to treat it? we didn’t know shit! it took three years to identify HIV. three years to find out that it wasn’t cancer. however, in those three years, stigma, blame, and shame didn’t need a name to thrive. many died not even knowing the name of the disease that robbed them of breath and humanity. 

this headline is historic because it is the first mention of what would become the hiv epidemic. 

36 years later we know so much. we have survived so much. we now have life-saving meds. we now even have PrEP - the pill that helps to prevent hiv infection. this is huge because, in 1981, treatment for any virus was rare, yet alone a virus that was virtually unknown. 

we still have work to do. we still have to shift culture and we still have to fight health care and access. we still have to fight to live. but we know so much more now than we did on july 3, 1981.

If you are ever feeling suicidal

I am here. I will listen. You are not a burden. You are important, and important to me. Please message me. If I don’t respond immediatly it’s not because I don’t want to talk to you or feel like it’s not worth my time, it’s because I am sleeping or at work or don’t have my phone on hand. So please, reach out to me. You’re not alone in this.

Zendaya Continues To Prove She’s Just The Coolest With STI Testing Message

At just 19, actress and activist Zendaya already has more worldly wisdom and a positive outlook that’s usually attained by people twice her age. The star proved this yet again in a video interview seamlessly mixing cute puppies with UN activism (like you do).

Gifs: The Scene

I have been HIV positive for 8 years if you want to ask me anything go ahead. If you have questions about treatment, go ahead and ask me, if you need a friend I’m here for you.

we can’t let this happen

i bring to you, an old meme

@thearcanagame

This Was the First Major News Article on HIV/AIDS

The epidemic’s early days were perplexing and terrifying

Entitled “Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals,” the article was penned by Lawrence K. Altman and appeared in the New York Times. At the time, gay men were dying of an unusual disease. They presented with purple spots on the skin, and their lymph nodes eventually became swollen before they died. It seemed to be cancer—but the symptoms matched a type usually only seen in very old people. The people who were dying at the time, however, were young and otherwise healthy. Doctors did not understand what was happening or whether the cancer was contagious.

A bus poster designed by Gran Fury for Art Against Aids in 1989. Gran Fury was an art collective which used the power of art to battle the Aids crisis

Photograph: Gran Fury, Courtesy of the New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division

Mamar-nos

tener-nos

So let’s stop trying to cure this disease and start focusing on stopping anyone else from getting it

(via pissedoffpozguy)