Letter from the Executive Director

It is not every day that I look back upon the work that we do at Body Positive (BP). Yet, as the fall is upon us and winter right behind, there is a very special event that is waiting in the wings. Next year we celebrate our fifteenth anniversary of empowering and working together with the HIV/AIDS community. Much has changed since the early 1980s and our founding in 1987. I could list the many political, medical and personal gains and losses from over the years, however, I would rather concentrate on one topic . . . unity.

Body Positive was founded by a group of gay men who came together, in unity, to make a difference. While that mosaic has changed so much, as has the AIDS epidemic itself, there is a unity that propels us forward. That unity lies within Body Positive and beyond. I am so proud of the staff and board of BP and their dedication, commitment and never-ending energy to work together with the multitude of volunteers, peer educators, and all those we touch every day. That work is extraordinary and for that unity, I am so thankful.

Someone who must be thanked for his work with BP over the past several years is Steven Weininger. His vision, dedication and creative talents are many, and as our former Art Director, his contributions to the growth of Body Positive, Inc., Body Positive magazine, and our Spanish-language publication SIDAahora are not soon to be forgotten. On behalf of BP, I wish Steven well in all his future personal and professional endeavors.

Similarly, I welcome on board Carlos Molina as our full-time Publications Coordinator. Carlos is no stranger to BP, as Editor of SIDAahora for the past year. Although he will be greatly missed by the Hispanic AIDS Forum, his vision, warmth and creative genius will help strengthen and unify BP even more here at home and among the AIDS community at large.

Finally, as we begin a look back over the past 15 years, we need your help. I ask that you contact us about any special remembrances or connections that you have made with BP since our beginning in 1987.

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This article was provided by Body Positive. It is a part of the publication Body Positive.