By Emily Wilson<\/p>\n
The HIV virus is a faceless, nameless epidemic that many people want to avoid talking about. However, the Faces of HIV Project is working to share their stories and knowledge all across Florida.<\/p>\n
The Mobile Art Exhibit visited Daytona\u2019s campus on Thursday, February 14th. The display features portraits, interviews and journals from real people that have contracted the HIV virus. Those that went were able to experience the exhibit firsthand, but people that missed the exhibit can access the information and stories presented at www.wemakethechange.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n April Hogan, the Prevention Program Supervisor, stressed the importance of addressing the stigma associated with people that are HIV positive. \u201cPeople who are HIV positive are just like you and I,\u201d Hogan said. \u201cYoung people are more accepting but people still need to be educated [about the virus].\u201d<\/p>\n Although the Mobile Art Exhibit and its volunteers are vying for spreading awareness and expunging stereotypes, not everyone is happy about the exhibit. On February 15th<\/sup>\u2019 Omar Mayes, a spokesperson for the project, shared something he saw outside of the exhibit. When a child began to look at the condoms, his mother shielded his eyes and took him away from the exhibit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just about pregnancy \u2212 it\u2019s so much more than that,\u201d Mayes said. \u201cThere\u2019s HIV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C \u2212 and some of those can kill you.\u201d Mayes stressed the importance of sharing information about STDs with everyone regardless of their age. For Mayes and many others, helping a child learn about preventing these life changing diseases\u00a0is more important than shielding them from sexual situations and ideas.<\/p>\n The Center for Disease Control and Prevention along with the American College Health Association has come to the conclusion that 1 in 500 college students are carriers of the HIV virus. This doesn’t account for students that are unaware that they are HIV positive. Businesses such as Planned Parenthood offer services such as HIV testing for little to no cost at their health center. Of course this doesn’t mean that anyone should feel compelled to stop having intimate relationships with other people. Erring on the side of caution, however, is advisable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The HIV virus is a faceless, nameless epidemic that many people want to avoid talking about. However, the Faces of HIV Project is working to share their stories and knowledge all across Florida.<\/p>\n The Mobile Art Exhibit visited Daytona\u2019s campus on Thursday, February 14th. The display features portraits, interviews and journals from real people that have contracted the HIV virus. Those that went were able to experience the exhibit firsthand, but people that missed the exhibit can access the information and stories presented at www.wemakethechange.com. Continue reading HIV exhibit aims to educate<\/span>