Illinois: Groups Create HIV Video

Three Chicago-area groups collaborated to produce a new HIV educational video geared toward youths. "HIV: Hey, It's Viral!" uses music and animation to teach the basics about HIV prevention and transmission. The video will have its premiere in Chicago this week.

The groups -- Beyondmedia Education, About Face Youth Theatre, and Broadway Youth Center, which is affiliated with Howard Brown Health Center -- came together in 2006 to discuss issues surrounding young people and HIV/AIDS. In July 2007, they hosted an intensive, two-week workshop with about 30 youths. Participants ranged in age from teenagers to people in their 40s and 50s, and they represented many stakeholders: doctors, health educators, activists, and young people living with HIV.

Salome Chasnoff, executive director of Beyondmedia, noted that unlike older participants, the youths had never known a time when AIDS was not a part of life. "We want them to know it's not a death sentence, but it does change your life dramatically, and that right now, it's not curable," she said.

Now that the video is a reality, the organizations are partnering to pilot a "sex-positive" program to be piloted in 10 Chicago schools. Chasnoff said the effort will include teacher training and a DVD.

The premiere of "HIV: Hey, It's Viral!" will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Center on Halsted's Hoover-Leppen Theater, 3656 N. Halsted. The evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception; the program starts at 7 p.m.

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