Upcoming Seminar to Focus on the Negative Effects of HIV/AIDS

One in four African Americans in Palm Beach County is infected with HIV/AIDS. In response, the county health department and the Ujima Men's Collective, an organization for black gay men, are hosting a three-day conference beginning Friday.

The "Dare 2B A.W.A.R.E" conference will be held Oct. 10-12 at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel. Registration is $150 in advance and $175 on site.

The goal of the conference is to encourage participants to develop skills and strategies that will enhance their lives, said organizers. "We want to encourage them to be more open about their sexual orientation and sexual status if they're HIV-positive," said Lorenzo Robertson, regional minority HIV/AIDS coordinator for the health department.

Attendees can select workshops and seminars on topics ranging from advocacy, leadership, health and wellness, spirituality and relationships. "We want them to look at gay men as holistic and whole people and not especially as gay and HIV people," said Robertson.

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