"I am gay, I am 17 years old, this letter is my last alternative to suicide. I live in a troglodyte society, in a world that does not accept me even though I just was born like this. To be brave does not mean to commit suicide when you are 80 but survive to the teen-age years being aware of the fact that you've never done something wrong except for following your own feelings, without defects or depravities". This is the beginning of the letter of a gay teenager to La Repubblica - one of the most important Italian newspapers. Davide Tancredi, the author of the letter, wrote about the Italian society and government in a direct and heartfelt way of a teenager. The letter was published just a few days ago and it proved impossible for some to ignore such a cry for help. The speaker of parliament - Barbara Boldrini - was one of them and she decided to reply to this in the same newspaper Sunday edition. Boldrini said that she wrote the letter not just to reply to Davide, but also to talk about Carolina, a 14 years old girl that committed suicide in January after many episodes of cyber bullism: "The new media's capabilities are tools of freedom, emancipation, cultural enrichment and socialization. But if they are used for hurting, scarring and violating somebody else, we can't close our eyes. How much are ‘OUR' youngsters aware of the effects of a distort use of social media?" Boldrini wrote a letter as a mother first and as a politician also, giving the promise of a law against homophobia in Italy, which does not exist yet. Does she really mean it? Only the time can answer. New media is now a fundamental part of our world, most of us use it everyday; life without it, seems unimaginable to a lot of people. The freedom of expression that it has given us, is and can be used for great things, but some abuse it. I don't think I am exaggerating if I use the word ‘pioneer' to describe the work of DAA, in using it to reach out to young people around the world. I now also feel the responsibility to use this new medium in a positive way, and hopefully also to inspire others along the way. We all should, whether we like it or not we are part of this "universe" - and the best part we are - so let us be the difference.

Source: Designers Against AIDS website

Do you have the feeling that you don't know enough about contraception or which one is perfect for you? In this era, we are lucky that we don't have to go to the library and stick our nose into books or go to the pharmacist to get some answers.... Now we have the wondrous world of internet . I just looked up ‘safe sex' in the Apple Appstore and came directly to an app that was willing to tell me all about safe sex methods. So for all of you readers with their eyes glued to their smartphones (I have to admit, I might be one of them... ), I would take a look. It never hurts to inform yourself, especially not when we're talking about your health. I can give you a spoiler though, if ever in doubt: condoms are the easiest way out (or in... ). Check the app here!

Source: Designers Against AIDS website

The 11 models from Brazil, Maldova, Russia and Ukraine arrived yesterday afternoon in Imphal, capital od Manipur (India) for a fashion show this weekend and walked down Imphal streets for a bigger cause — the prevention of HIV/ AIDS. Wearing casual jeans and sleeveless T shirts, the models distributed fliers nearly half-an-hour at crowded main market in the town- Paona Bazar- and attracted a large crowd at the two imamarkets (women’s markets).

“We feel sad that Manipur is facing a problem with HIV/AIDS. So we want to make people aware of the problem and we are happy to contribute to the fight against AIDS,” Patricia Goncalves Silva, a well-known Brazilian model, told reporters. She also expressed concern at reports of increasing crimes against women in India.

The fliers were prepared by the Manipur AIDS Control Society, which is one of the sponsors of the fashion show - Elegance of the Indigenous - to be held tomorrow at Imphal’s open-air theatre. The flier, Uniting Manipur against AIDS, gives a brief account of the HIV/AIDS situation in Manipur and information on how to prevent the spread of the disease. It sais that in this Indian state of 6,69,044 blood samples screened till December last year, 42,361 tested positive, including 11,878 women and 2,780 children. The fashion show is being organised by an Imphal-based fashion organisation, Blue Wings, with support from the state government.

We ourselves are combining the fashion and spreading awareness on HIV AIDS, so we completely encourage and value initiatives like this one!

Source: Designers Against AIDS website

Surveys and statistics prove that men who have sex with men (MSM) and young people face higher rates of HIV than the average. So, young MSM (YMSM) are one of the most endangered categories of all, especially in countries out of the western industrialized areas. In these countries homophobia is often a big social problem and one of the main barrier for the spreading of knowledge about HIV/AIDS matters. MSMGF (MSM Global Forum), they recently did a research about the conditions of YMSM worldwide. The situation that portrays is far from being positive. The study - of over 2400 young YMSM - shows higher rates of homophobia and violence, lower access to HIV prevention and treatment compared to older men. Different life conditions of MSM under and over 30 years old imply a different risk of HIV infections. For example, the combination of homophobia and economical factors can make for a risk for YMSM since they often depend on families for living and if they are kicked out - and it often happens - they may be forced to trade sex for food, shelter or protection. However, even when economical factors are not involved, being YMSM means also understanding for the first time in your life who you really are, and this is an extremely difficult moment, both emotionally and psychologically. In the MSMGF's report we can read "Homophobia and discrimination are still two of the main issues that YMSM have to deal with every day (...). Most YMSM are more focused on the challenges of coming to terms with their sexual orientation and identity than they are on their sexual health. We cannot address sexual health for YMSM without acknowledging these issues" (Sergio López, Paraguay). We talked about numbers and categories, and the word YMSM sounds pretty cold too, but this is all about real people's lives. Taking off the statistical language, a YOUNG GAY has to face a more difficult reality than the normal and, when the social conditions are okay, they have to fight against their hormones - yes, because being educated about safe sex does still not mean that the gap between theory and practice is filled. HIV is a multi-layered issue, its complexity is the same as our society, the more you study it, the more contradictions you seem to find. This is why wearing a condom and getting tested are two extremely easy actions that many people still find impossible to do. So I can't press enough the importance of just doing it, it's easy and it can protect you and your partner. And these actions don't have to differ between straight, black, white, homosexual, bisexual, ... People. They should be universally accepted and practiced!

Source: Designers Against AIDS website