CHICAGO — June 6, 2011 — In an effort to overcome the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, which disproportionately impacts the African-American and Hispanic youth communities, the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus ( CBGMC ) and McDermott/Haymarket Center are banding together to present "A Mirror to the Heart: Breaking the Stigma of HIV/AIDS," a documentary highlighting HIV prevention activities and the personal experiences of youth who are taking leadership roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The documentary screening will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 24, at McDermott/Haymarket Center, 932 W. Washington, Chicago.
Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services and BASUAH ( Brothers And Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS ) , the documentary will be followed by a discussion led by a panel of experts. Taskforce Prevention and Community Services will provide HIV testing. This free event is open to the public. To learn more, go to www.mirrortotheheart.com .
The panel discussion will be moderated by Christian Castro, the program director of the Latino Commission on AIDS, a program that assists Hispanic-serving organizations and coalitions to address the needs of the emerging HIV-positive population.
Others who will be on the panel will be Alan D. Johnson, adolescent research director of the DePaul University School of Public Health; Stephen Armstead, OVAH! Program outreach coordinator for the Center on Halsted; youth activist and artist KOKUMO; Andre Darey; Leveon Perkins; Jermaine Perry; and Anthony Singleton.
Gina Lathan Whitener, the executive producer of the documentary, will also participate in the event.
The documentary encourages an open discussion about stigma, which is a leading barrier to successful HIV counseling, testing and treatment. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , the numbers of youth contracting HIV/AIDS are staggering, especially African-American and Hispanic youth.
In 2009, an estimated 8,294 men and women of all races and ethnicities age 13 to 24 received a diagnosis of HIV infection, representing about 19 percent of the persons given a diagnosis that year. African Americans were disproportionately affected, accounting for about half of all HIV infections. Hispanics accounted for about 15 percent.
About the Sponsoring Organizations
The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus ( CBGMC ) �was created in 2005�to bridge the existing gaps between traditional health care and non-traditional providers that serve Black gay and bi-sexual men. Comprised of individuals and community based organizations, the primary goal of CBGMC is to decrease new HIV infections, through creative and collaborative programming that promotes HIV testing and risk reduction activities.��A secondary, but very important focus for CBGMC, is to address recruit and cultivate new leaders in HIV prevention and care in Chicago who are sensitive to the Black gay and bi-sexual community.
The McDermott/Haymarket Center was founded in 1975, as a non-profit agency, to bring about a change in the public perception of alcoholism and its treatment. Since then, McDermott/Haymarket Center has grown into a comprehensive alcohol and other drug treatment organization, licensed by the state of Illinois, which receives funding from private, city, state and federal agencies.
The Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services provides information and technical assistance regarding the health care needs of minority populations; and develops, maintains and enhances health care services in minority communities. To achieve this goal, the Center works with state and local entities to heighten awareness of minority health issues and services across the state.
BASUAH is an acronym for Brothers And Sisters United Against HIV. A program of the Illinois Department of Public Health, BASUAH promotes HIV/AIDS awareness among communities of color through education, collaboration and community engagement.
Taskforce Prevention and Community Services' primary mission has been to provide preventive services to youth and young adult and adult men who are at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through a well-coordinated and culturally responsive health care system and other resources.
