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On November 15, the city of West
Hollywood will host a discussion forum called “HIV Game Change 2012—The State
of HIV/AIDS in West Hollywood,” featuring educators, doctors, and others who
will discuss the changing culture of HIV/AIDS and its potential effects on gay
males in West Hollywood and neighboring cities.
City Councilman John D’Amico, who
has HIV, declared that West Hollywood (Weho) has a responsibility to discuss
HIV/AIDS because of the great number of Weho residents with the disease. “I
think it’s important for our city, which is the epicenter of HIV and AIDS in LA
County, to step up and talk about a changing epidemic,” explained D’Amico.
Forty percent of the current Weho population is gay, and 25 percent of the gay
population is living with HIV—meaning that approximately 10 percent of Weho
residents have the disease. D’Amico stated that a major point of the forum will
deal with what is true for the sex lives of gay men, those with HIV, and those
that do not have the disease.
Alex Garner, editor-at-large for
PositiveFrontiers.com, will speak at the discussion forum. Garner has had HIV
for the past 17 years, even though doctors only gave him 10 to 15 years to live
when he was first diagnosed. He has lived a healthy and fulfilling life due to
the advancements in HIV/AIDS treatment. Garner emphasized that the discussion
forum’s focus on November 15 will be education about advancements that continue
to be made.
Other speakers include Eric
Gutierrez, Health Policy Director for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, and
Christopher Brown, Director of Health and Mental Health Services with the L.A.
Gay & Lesbian Center. “HIV Game Change 2012—The State of HIV/AIDS in West
Hollywood” will begin at 7:30 p.m., November 15, in the Community Room at the
West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
