New York, NY  December 1, 2009 — IN THE LIFE, the only national public television series documenting the people and issues shaping the gay experience, commemorates World AIDS Awareness Month with CREATING SOLUTIONS, an episode dedicated to the scientists working tirelessly for a cure, the advocates speaking out about the stigma of HIV and AIDS, and the innovative approaches to prevention and education around the virus.

Throughout history, no viral disease has been cured without a vaccine. HIV is no exception. Though we have the tools for living with HIV and AIDS — education, behavior change and treatment — the development of a vaccine remains the only hope for eradicating the virus.  Finding this magic bullet, however, has proven to be harder than anyone ever imagined.  Even with the promising news coming from the most recent HIV vaccine trials in Thailand, scientists know that creation of a vaccine can only be part of a broader comprehensive strategy to finally eradicate the epidemic.  In our lead story, THE TRIALS OF A VACCINE, we meet scientists who have made it their life’s work to develop an HIV vaccine.

Yes we need a vaccine, but a stigma doesn’t stop with a vaccine; criminalization of people’s behavior doesn’t stop with a vaccine. So, yes, we need all of these new prevention tools including especially an AIDS vaccine, but we have to remember we need to be addressing the root causes of this epidemic which go far beyond basic science,” says Mitchell Warren, the executive director of AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC).

In A CONVERSATION WITH…, IN THE LIFE sits down with fashion designer and entrepreneur Kenneth Cole.  He is chairman of the board of The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of HIV/AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.  Cole was among the first to use advertising campaigns to speak out about AIDS in 1985, two years before President Ronald Reagan acknowledged the crisis.  Joining him in conversation is Regan Hoffman, author of the memoir “I Have Something to Tell You” and editor-in-chief of POZ Magazine, the nation’s leading publication and website about HIV/AIDS, reaching over 70 percent of all people living in the United States who are aware that they are HIV positive.

The episode concludes with an update on the “HIV Is Still A Big Deal” campaign.  A year after we first featured the innovative series of online HIV prevention films produced by Public Health Solutions and NYU, we take a fresh look at the success of this series. Thanks, in part, to a partnership with Manhunt, an online community that’s been called the “best online place for men to meet men,” the series has become an internationally effective intervention tool.

CREATING SOLUTIONS is available for free video streaming and as a podcast from the IN THE LIFE website.  To find out when it will be airing in your local area, to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org .

About In The Life Media

In The Life Media provides information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, documents the ongoing LGBT civil rights movement, and produces diverse images of the LGBT community to create better understanding and acceptance.

About IN THE LIFE

Produced by In The Life Media, IN THE LIFE is the longest running television show documenting the gay experience. IN THE LIFE is a three-time Emmy Award nominee, a Lambda Legal Liberty Award honoree, and the recipient of the Courage Award from the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- Dec 2009: IN THE LIFE “Creating Solutions” (video)
• Ifelicious Thoughts- archive of previous episodes of “In The Life”
• In The Life website- www.inthelifetv.org
• Facebook fan page- www.facebook.com/inthelifemedia?v=wall#/inthelifemedia
• Twitter- twitter.com/INTHELIFE
• YouTube Channel- www.youtube.com/user/itlmedia

Alicia Keys will be performing a benefit concert for her HIV/AIDS charity Keep A Child Alive on December 1, 2009 in honor of World AIDS Day.  The concert will be broadcast from the Nokia Theater in New York City and will air on her YouTube channel at 8:00 PM EST.

One Night, One Voice, One Life at a Time — Tune in for Alicia’s live global webcast from the Nokia Theater in NYC – December 1st – WORLD AIDS DAY @ 8:00 p.m. (EST)

Related Links

• affrodite.net- Celebrities Making A Difference: Alicia Keys
• Oprah.com- Keep A Child Alive
• Look to the Stars- Alicia Keys to play charity show on World AIDS Day
• Yahoo! News- Alicia Keys to take 5 people on trip to Africa
• Alicia Keys official website- www.aliciakeys.com
• Keep A Child Alive- keepachildalive.org
• Facebook fan page- www.facebook.com/aliciakeys
• Myspace- www.myspace.com/aliciakeys
• YouTube- www.youtube.com/aliciakeys

Episode Summary…

Over twenty million people have died from AIDS since its cause, HIV, was discovered in 1981. Though leading scientists worldwide have dedicated their life’s work to understanding the virus, its genetic complexity is unprecedented and a cure is still beyond reach. This month on IN THE LIFE, we speak with scientists working tirelessly for a cure, advocates speaking out about the stigma of HIV, and look at the success of a cutting edge prevention effort to stop the spread of the disease.

The Trials of a Vaccine

Throughout history, no viral disease has been cured without a vaccine, and HIV/AIDS is no exception. Though we have the tools for living with HIV, education, behavior change and treatment, the development of an HIV vaccine remains the only hope for eradicating the virus. Finding this magic bullet, however, has proven to be harder than anyone ever imagined.

A CONVERSATION WITH… Kenneth Cole and Regan Hoffman

Kenneth Cole, fashion designer, chairman of the board of the Foundation for AIDS Research and a social marketing pioneer since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, discusses the stigma surrounding HIV with Regan Hoffman, editor-in-chief of POZ magazine and the author of “I Have Something To Tell You,” a memoir which chronicles her life upon discovering she was HIV-positive.

The Success of “HIV Is Still A Big Deal”

A year after we featured HIV is Still a Big Deal, a series of online HIV prevention films produced by the Public Health Solutions and NYU, we take a fresh look at the success of this series. Thanks in part to a partnership with Manhunt, an online dating and social networking site for gay men, the series has become an internationally effective intervention tool.

* * *

Creating Solutions will begin airing December 1st and be available for free video streaming and downloadable podcasts from the IN THE LIFE website on December 2nd. To find out when it will air in your local area, to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- archive of previous episodes of “In The Life”
• In The Life website- www.inthelifetv.org
• Facebook fan page- www.facebook.com/inthelifemedia?v=wall#/inthelifemedia
• Twitter- twitter.com/INTHELIFE
• YouTube Channel- www.youtube.com/user/itlmedia

About this season…

IN THE LIFEs 18th Season premieres this October with a slate of timely and provocative episodes, including a look at LGBT activist organizations, including Queers For Economic Justice, that work to challenge racial and economic injustice; a special presentation of Preachers Sons, a stirring documentary about gay adoption; a report on the recent advances and setbacks in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine; and a profile of progressive faith leaders using religious arguments to advance marriage equality.

October 2009

“Living On The Margins”

Episode Summary…

40 years after the Stonewall uprising, the LGBT movement is more visible than ever. But many queer people who do not conform to the image of gender, race and class most pervasive in the media, remain largely invisible—even to the movement. This month, we look at how LGBT people living on the economic margins of our society are organizing themselves to find housing, improve their professional skills, and obtain employment and health care.

The Unseen Gays: Struggling on the Margins

At a time when nearly every corner of the country is suffering from market downturns and high unemployment rates, many in the LGBT community are especially hard hit. In our lead segment, we look at how racial, economic and gender-based discrimination result in disproportionate rates of poverty, unemployment and homelessness among the most marginalized members of our community.

A CONVERSATION WITH…

Stonewall Community Foundation Director Thai Pham, and FIERCE Executive Director Rickke Mananzala discuss the renewed commitment to philanthropy many LGBT people are making, economic activism and the synergy of their organizations.

Habitat’s First LGBT Unity Build

For many LGBT people, the recent economic crisis reinvigorated the spirit of volunteerism. At Habitat for Humanity’s first LGBT Unity Build Day, we speak with the community members who came out in support of affordable housing while raising visibility for the movement.

. . .

“Living On The Margins” will begin airing October 1st and be available for free video streaming and downloadable podcasts from the IN THE LIFE website on October 2nd. To find out when it will air in your local area, to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org.

Related Links

• Ifelicious Thoughts- archive of previous episodes of “In The Life”
• In The Life website- www.inthelifetv.org
• Facebook fan page- www.facebook.com/inthelifemedia?v=wall#/inthelifemedia
• Twitter- twitter.com/INTHELIFE
• YouTube Channel- www.youtube.com/user/itlmedia

Episode Summary

This month we investigate the AIDS epidemic in communities of color, learn how two organizations are addressing the particular needs of these communities; and meet a filmmaker inspired by an artist and activist.

AN INVISIBLE CRISIS

More than a decade after Andrew Sullivan declared the end of AIDS on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, black and Latino communities in the U.S. continue to be devastated by the disease. But as the rate of new HIV infections continues to soar in communities of color, and decline among white communities, it’s disappeared from the front pages of many publications. Our first story explores the efforts under way to fight this largely invisible crisis ­ one in which race, class, poverty, and deeply entrenched beliefs combine to hinder HIV prevention and treatment.

A CONVERSATION WITH… Kris Hayashi and Glen Francis

The Audre Lorde Project and The Griot Circle are both at the forefront of organizing LGBT people of color. This month’s conversation features a discussion with these organizations’ executive directors. Kris Hayashi and Glen Francis discuss organizing, supporting, and advocating for these unique groups within the LGBT community.

REAL TO REEL: Derek

English filmmakers Derek Jarman and Isaac Julien were pioneers of the New Queer Cinema that emerged in the early 1990’s. Active in London’s counterculture movement and united by their shared outsider status ­ Jarman, for shattering the silence around HIV/AIDS by publicly announcing his diagnosis, and Julien for breaking through the barriers of racially divided England ­ it is fitting that they are preserved together on film. Julien’s Derek is a loving tribute to Jarman; a requiem of his life and celebration of his work.
- -

For more In The Life episodes click HERE.

(From http://gaycenter.org/out) There was a party on February 11th to celebrate the Center appearing on the Real World. Housemates Katelynn, Scott and Baya showed up to watch it with us. They all became members of the Center and Scott spoke to us about his intention to ride in Braking the Cycle this year. If you would like to ride with him, volunteer or donate to the ride go to gaycenter.org/brakingthecycle. To see more video from the party and behind the scenes footage of the Real World at the Center, go to gaycenter.org/realworld. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to: http://www.gaycenter.org/support

(From http://www.gaycenter.org/out) On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 the Center made an appearance on an MTV Real World Brooklyn episode. Housemate JD Ordonez arrived at the Center with Katelynn and Sarah to start their internships. The first event that they and their housemates work on is the Center’s Braking the Cycle AIDS Ride benefiting the HIV/AIDS services of the Center. At a viewing party at XES Lounge fellow housemates Scott and Baya arrive with Katelynn to view the episode with other Center supporters. They become members of the Center and Scott explains how he will do the ride this year and Baya will support him. The rest of the video looks at the closing ceremony from last year. Look for more video from the MTV Real World housemates at the Center as the season continues. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to:  http://www.gaycenter.org/support

posted on OSU’s The Ohio Union webpage…

The Red Party – World AIDS Day Event

Silence Speaks

Posted on November 20, 2008

In honor of World AIDS Day, the SERV Team is sponsoring the annual event called The Red Party. This event will include speakers from Camp Sunrise, Columbus AIDS Task Force, the Student Wellness Center, and other prominent guests. Off the Lake Productions will be providing entertainment throughout the evening as well.

Following some speakers, delicious food and wonderful music, there will be a candlelight vigil honoring all those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

The event is on Saturday, Dec 6 from 5-7pm with the evening concluding with a candlelight vigil. Please come in your RED snappy casual attire. There is a requested $4 donation for Columbus AIDS Task Force.

questions? call 292-SERV (7378) or email servteam@gmail.com

* * * *

No matter where you live, take a gander to see what’s going on and do something for World AIDS Day.

* * * *

More info on events for World AIDS Day in Columbus, OH

Columbus Public Health- http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/media/news_193.asp

Documentary “Derek” viewing at Wexner Center- http://events.columbusalive.com/columbus-oh/events/show/85458188-new-documentary-derek

Know of more events that you’d like me to post?  Just leave a comment and I’ll happily add them.