________________________________________________________________ HIV Facts What is HIV/AIDS? HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  People living with the virus are said to be HIV+  (that is, HIV positive). What does it do? HIV attacks the immune system, the body's natural defenses. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) occurs when the immune system is severely damaged, making it difficult to fight off contagious disease and cancer. How is HIV Transmitted? HIV can be transmitted in blood, semen (cum and pre-cum), vaginal secretion, and breast milk. Infection usually happens while sharing needles/syringes or having sex without a condom. Women can pass HIV to babies during pregnancy, delivery, or breast-feeding.  HIV is not spread by casual touching and kissing.  (If someone coughs in your face, you will not get AIDS.) on the other hand (If you are a woman, having sex with a man who is positive, without a condom, you are at risk...High Risk.) How can I tell if my man has HIV? Get tested.  It is a great idea to get tested together to KNOW for sure, and to eradicate any issues of distrust between you. Where do I get a test? You can get tested for HIV at your local clinic or doctor's office. What if I don't trust "The People"? Not to worry... In the event you are somewhat disillusioned by the government agencies that regulate our healthcare, you can order a test and take it in the privacy of your home.  We do not sell Home testing kits for HIV/AIDS at this time, but offer referrals to you as follows: Home Testing About the Approved Product The FDA-approved Home Access System kits allow people to collect a blood sample. Using a personal identification number (PIN), they then mail the sample anonymously to a laboratory for testing. The PIN can then be used to obtain results. FDA on Home Testing How Can I Prevent HIV? Preventing HIV is simple. To be SURE to avoid AIDS, you can not have sex.   You can not have sex at all.   You can not even be a virgin who shares needles with other intravenous drug users. Ladies, anal sex does not mean you are not having sex.  NOR does the engagement of exclusively oral sex, preclude you from the masses of non-virgins roaming the world.  Not only are you exposing yourself to AIDS by the transference of any bodily fluid form one partner to the next, you are exposing yourself to many other sexually transmitted diseases... some of them, incurable (Can Not Be Cured by any medication known to man)... incurable. If you do have sex, protect yourself with condoms. The "Withdrawal Method" does not work. (That is's when you are both raw but he pulls out before her lets go.) The "Oh but I am in Love" method also does not work. (That's when you are gullible enough to believe that your emotions can even keep your lover out of the strip club, let alone, free from HIV.) Where do I hide, I mean keep, My Condoms? First of all... You should not be ashamed of using, carrying, possessing or suggesting condoms.  The Condom Conversation:  is the smartest, most realistic one you will ever have with a potential lover.   Once you introduce a condom into an intimate situation, the question become not whether to use a condom, but how and when to use one.  You will find instructions for condom use on most condom boxes.   Store your condoms in a dry, dark place... a place an arms length away from where you decide you play. Rubber Basics... Don't use old or dried-out condoms. Never use a condom more than once. During intercourse, use latex or polyurethane condoms with plenty of water-based lubricant. Avoid using lubricants with oil because they can dissolve latex and cause condoms to break. Don't use lambskin condoms because they have tiny holes that can let HIV through. What if I use Needles? If you use needles Including but not limited to Your Steroids Excuse us... Liquid Vitamins Dialysis or anything else that puncture your skin Your tattooing Your piercing,       don't share Your Needle Your Cooker, or your Cotton If you are broke right now and you must share Sterilize each time you rotate Don't let your hate for the place you are in right now seal your fate Ghetto Girl Blue Writer, The Punany Poets What if I Get HIV? There is no cure for HIV, but new treatments help people avoid illness and to live longer with HIV.  There are medical tests that can detect signs of HIV (known as HIV antibodies), usually within 3-6 months of infection. The sooner people find out if they have HIV, the sooner they can take action to protect themselves and others. For More information about AIDS, HIV, and other Communicable Diseases visit The Center for Disease Control.

What's Done in the Dark It's been over 20 years since I staked my claim, Infecting millions with denial and shame. I fooled them all to get a head start, Hiding myself, where righteous dare not part. But soon into light, is what’s done in the dark. Just who is my prey, my sucker, my mark? The bright and the dull, the rich and the poor, infamous scholars... the housewife... the whore Street pharmacists and the PhD, have equal access to me. From mother to child, needle to vein; above all before me, shall I reign From bad blood, to blue blood, I flow The only salvation from me is to KNOW; I will find you, no matter where you hide For my power is in your lies and your pride. Copyright, 2006, Jessica Holter _____________________________________________________________ The Quickest Way to a Mind is through the Soul A.F.A.C.T. is a very unique organization, in that it was created by a group of socially conscious artists whose contemporary social education affords them the understanding that is required to attack AIDS/HIV at it's very core.  We are sisters and brothers in the struggle to save ourselves.  Demographically we are the people at risk for AIDS. We envision an Outreach Program that extends through Public Service Advertising targeting the largest population of those at risk for HIV/AIDS, Black Women. Traditional methods of reaching the African American Communtiy are lost because people creating the campaigns to do not represent the people that are intended for.  In fact large organizations are stigmatized in Black Communities because of the corrupt history with regard to African American patients.  Poverty, Fear of Rejection and Desire for Acceptance are the controlling factors in the plight of African American health.  But while this is undertstood by researchers, they simply spin numbers that do not translate into urban common sense.  At A.F.A.C.T. we understand that the quickest way to a Black mind is through the soul.  The Artists associated with A.F.A.C.T. create innovative programming, that speaks in a language that is familiar to its target audience.  Through music, dance, theater and literature laced with stimulating imagery, we have devised a program with great promise.