July 26, 2012
As we pass the halfway point for AIDS 2012, everyone -- even intrepid tweeters -- has started to get tired. We've all seen the sights -- especially the condoms -- but that doesn't mean all was quiet on the social media front. Here's a roundup of a few more topics that were popular today.
Of course, any conference that talks about turning the tide against HIV is going to have to discuss how to keep new infections down. Prevention is key to ending HIV, and it's also important to many, many people on Twitter ...
awesome advert at #AIDS2012 instagr.am/p/Nggz1ApTT5/
— Yannis Mameletzis (@mylittlebaklava) July 25, 2012
People on Twitter discussed how treatment may be prevention -- but what does that mean where treatment isn't available? Plus how culture, policy and faith can have an impact. Not to mention microbicides ...
"When I say I'm a rectal microbicide advocate, that doesn't mean I don't love vaginas. I do!" Jim Pickett @AIDSChicago #AIDS2012
— Jaime-Alexis Fowler (@JaimeAlexis) July 25, 2012
... and safer sex ...
Smirk - at female condom session at #AIDS2012, discussion of a Chicago promotion campaign "Put a ring on it"ringonit.org
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) July 26, 2012
HIV affects over 2.2 million adolescents, but is also spreading among older adults. Maybe older people can be leaders, but then again, so can the youth.
Though it would be a little easier if both groups had gender equality:
Waryaro: Older men allowed to have HIV, as many women as they want; I was actually asked mockingly if I was "sugar mommy" #Kenya #AIDS2012
— Renna Communications (@RennaComm) July 26, 2012
Which brings me back to ...
Overheard "I love going from a speech about empowering women to waiting in line in a bathroom designed by men. Realitycheck! #AIDS2012
— Sarah (@pinkgeek) July 25, 2012
Maybe it's just my bias, but it feels like the conference has been utterly filled with critical discussion of gender politics and women's rights. People have tweeted to discuss the link between gender violence and HIV risk; how gender inequality leads to HIV; how gender roles limit equality; and how prevention for women is cheaper than treatment.
If you're making a skirt out of condoms, I suppose it makes sense to use female condoms. #globalvillage #AIDS2012 twitter.com/lisachensvold/…
— Lisa Chensvold (@lisachensvold) July 25, 2012
The fact of the matter is that even though there's some good news, HIV stigma and criminalization are still global issues. And they're also domestic issues: North America has the highest number of prosecutions for HIV criminalization -- Canada and the U.S. both.
Let's be real: This kind of thing just isn't just.
most interesting session so far: "Get a test, risk arrest" showing how unjust criminalization of hiv exposure works #aids2012
— Åshild Marie Vige (@ashildvige) July 25, 2012
Conference days may just feel longer and longer as we go on, but it's only because so much is happening, and there's so much to do, and to learn.
#AIDS2012 such an interesting event, all segments of society present, all with their own strongly held points of view; v thought-provoking.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinDTweets) July 25, 2012
Becky Allen is the site manager for TheBody.com and TheBodyPRO.com.
Follow Becky on Twitter: @BeckyAtTheBody.
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