Rape is RAPE!

The most shocking of what I have been seeing in Lagos is the case of the 13 year old housegirl that was raped.
Her master and mistress have allowed the rapist to go without even reporting him to the police. They said the man, 22, told them their Togolese housegirl harassed him for sex and he obliged by taking her to the safe place where he had sex with her.
To them, she was not raped!

They forget that having sex with anyone who has not reached the age of consent is RAPE and having sex with anyone without the consent of the person is RAPE and they forget that RAPE is the worse form of violence against women.

"Thank God she is not pregnant," the mistress said.
"But did you test her for HIV?" I asked, still shocked by their foolish and stupid reaction to the rape of their 13 year old housegirl!
The mistress shook her head.
Lord have mercy.


P.S:
My precious MOTOROLA cell phone was stolen yesterday and I am afraid that the thief must be someone who knows me very well. I use my cell phone to shoot short documentaries of Lagos and all of them were still saved in the phone when it was stolen.

AIDS Increasing Among Gays and Bisexual Men in the United States

Wikipedia Photo of Gay Couple

The latest report on the spread of HIV/AIDS in the US indicates an alarming rate of the pandemic among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual people. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was bred in the sexual revolution of the last century and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was then seen as the homosexual plague. The following report is a must read not only for the GLBT communities, but also for the rest of us, because the use of contaminated hypodermic needles is increasing.

3 Aug 2008 14:08 Africa/Lagos


Growing Epidemic in Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States Heightens the Call for a National AIDS Strategy Bridging Race and Sexuality

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of disturbing news about higher HIV rates in the United States, people living with HIV and allies are calling for a national AIDS strategy that confronts the homophobia, violence and bias at the heart of the U.S. epidemic.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the new figures released on Saturday, August 2 reflect a "stable" epidemic, albeit one with a higher level of annual infections than previously estimated. However, the data reveal an ongoing and persistent increase in rates of infection among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), many of whom are Black and/or Latino.


"The new estimates confirm that a vast majority of new infections in the U.S. occur in gay and bisexual men, and that Blacks are significantly more heavily impacted than other racial/ethnic categories. However, the data fail to clearly link the two, perpetuating a longstanding, damaging polarization," explained Walt Senterfitt, CHAMP board co-chair and an epidemiologist living with HIV who served as a Visiting Scientist at CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. "We need CDC to clearly show the HIV incidence numbers in gay men and other MSM of color."


"A substantial number of Black people infected every year are gay or bisexual, and a substantial proportion of gay and bisexual men infected are Black. In fact, the heaviest impact is at the nexus of the two - being both black and a man who has sex with men. Yet this population is significantly marginalized, even stigmatized within both larger populations of which it is an integral part. A national AIDS strategy must tackle this fundamental challenge," he added.


Advocates state that CDC's response to the new estimates, despite acknowledgement of the U.S. epidemic as majority gay/bisexual, does not challenge the pervasive homophobia that the federal government refuses to confront. They point to research on gay men who experience bullying and violence in adolescence and later have higher rates of drug use, intimate partner violence, and HIV/AIDS. According to the National Anti-Violence Project, there was a 24% increase last year in the number of victims reporting anti-LBGT violence.


"The rising incidence in our communities is a direct result of years of policies and programs that demonize and ignore the sexual health needs of gay men, especially African-American and Latino gay men who bear the brunt of the epidemic in the United States. Gay men of all colors face significant health disparities that directly impact the incidence and prevalence of HIV in their lives," said Jim Pickett, Director of Advocacy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "We must prioritize a holistic, asset-based gay men's health agenda that goes well beyond a 'navel to knee' focus. We must also address their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health needs that, when neglected, foster conditions in which HIV thrives."


Activists note that the national AIDS program of the Mexican government's public health department sponsored public campaigns against homophobia in subways and buses, television spots, school programs and by working with telenovela and movie producers.


"If this socially conservative country, with far fewer resources than its wealthy neighbor to the north, can ambitiously confront homophobia with government sponsorship and funding, why can't the United States?" asked Coco Jervis, CHAMP's Director of Policy.


"CDC talks of the need to develop more and better prevention messages, including more prevention interventions for Black gay men and gay men of all races. But such strategies will never be sufficiently effective or taken up by those most at risk until - and unless - homophobia is directly confronted," added Kenyon Farrow, National Public Education Director for Queers for Economic Justice.


"Instead, politicians of both parties and the Department of Health and Human Services have caved into pressure from right-wing politicians, squelching not only sexuality research but anti-homophobia and pro-sexual diversity messages in HIV prevention and general health promotion alike. Will our next administration buck this trend, or will it be more of the 'business as usual' that's decimating my community?"


The Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) is dedicated to HIV prevention justice, bridging HIV/AIDS, human rights, and struggles for social and economic justice to ensure the development and use of a broad and effective range of HIV prevention options in the next decade. CHAMP sponsors AIDS2008.com, a community blog at the 2008 International AIDS Conference.


Source: Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project

CONTACT: United States: Julie Davids, CHAMP: 646-431-7525,
jdavids@champnetwork.org, or Johnathon Briggs, AIDS Foundation of Chicago:
JBriggs@aidschicago.org; or Mexico City: Walt Senterfitt, CHAMP: 323-683-0490,
wsenterfit@aol.com, or David Ernesto Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, 312-
334-0933, dmunar@aidschicago.org


Web site: http://www.champnetwork.org/
http://www.aids2008.com/

Responsibility is VIVA GLAMOROUS

25 Mar 2008 12:00 Africa/Lagos


Responsibility is VIVA GLAMOROUS

M.A.C COSMETICS' NEWEST VIVA GLAM VI SPOKESPERSON, FERGIE, REMIXES HER HIT SONG 'GLAMOROUS' TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR HIV/AIDS

LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE AT MACCOSMETICS.COM

NEW YORK, March 25 /PRNewswire/ --

Three-time Grammy Award winning artist and latest M.A.C VIVA GLAM spokesperson, Fergie, is using her voice to further raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS crisis in youth. Along with PoetNameLife, she has recorded 'VIVA GLAMOROUS', a remix of her hit song 'Glamorous', as an added contribution to her VIVA GLAM VI campaign. A limited number of free downloads of the remix and VIVA GLAM E-cards will be available March 25, 2008 on maccosmetics.com. The E-cards reinforce Fergie's Responsibility is Glamorous message by pairing her sexy VIVA GLAM visual with alarming AIDS facts that concern youth. She also encourages people to buy a M.A.C VIVA GLAM VI Limited Edition Lipglass, the sales of which benefit the Global Youth Prevention Initiative. The M.A.C AIDS FUND directs the funds from this initiative to international organizations that address the AIDS crisis in young people. The remix will also be available in April on M.A.C websites in the U.K., France, Australia and Germany.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/NYTU008 )


"Half of all new HIV/AIDS infections are in people under twenty-five and it is important that we get the message out to all young people to be educated and understand the risks of HIV/AIDS. I want to bring more attention to this issue and my music allows me to reach the youth that are potentially at risk." M.A.C VIVA GLAM VI Spokesperson Fergie


The M.A.C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M.A.C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. M.A.F is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, M.A.F strives to raise awareness of four key issues in the fight against HIV/AIDS: prevention, the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS, access to care, and adherence to medications and treatments. To date, M.A.F has raised $100 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of M.A.C's VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipglass, donating 100 per cent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.macaidsfund.org.


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/NYTU008
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: The M.A.C AIDS Fund

CONTACT: Heather Park, M.A.C Cosmetics, +1-212-965-6337


Web site: http://www.macaidsfund.org/
http://www.maccosmetics.com/

World AIDS Day: Red is the Colour of Love

DECEMBER 1ST IS WORLD AIDS DAY

Red is the colour of my heart

Red is the colour of my blood

Red is the colour of my roses

Red is the colour of my love for you

For red is the colour of love.

Just in time for World AIDS Day, (RED) is proud to announce that, thanks to your (RED) purchases, our partners' contributions to the Global Fund have reached over $50 million. (RED) funds are already at work as part of Global Fund grants in Rwanda, Swaziland and Ghana, funding programs with a primary focus on the health of women and children.

Calculate your personal (RED) impact
Learn more about how (RED) money is working in Africa

THE LAZARUS EFFECT

Thanks to the Global Fund and (RED) money that you've helped generate with your (RED) purchase, an extremely effective medicine to treat HIV is becoming widely available to people in Africa. And it's as simple as two pills a day. It's so effective, in fact, it can return a person to vibrant health in about 60 days.
See the Lazarus Effect

CHOOSE (RED) FOR THE HOLIDAYS
When you shop (RED) for the holidays, you're not just giving to your friends and family -- you're also helping to eliminate AIDS in Africa with your purchases. Here's what's new:
Converse (PRODUCT) RED
Buy any pair of Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes and a portion of the proceeds will go to The Global Fund, to help fight AIDS in Africa.

Get your Converse (PRODUCT) RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoes
See other CONVERSE (PRODUCT) RED
MAKE MINE RED: Design your own (PRODUCT) RED shoes

Gap (PRODUCT) RED
The Gap (PRODUCT) RED collection has something for everyone in your life, with new styles for men, women, kids and baby. New items include the (2 WEEKS) t-shirt, mittens, scarves, hats, sleepwear and the EcoTote.

Buy Gap (PRODUCT) RED online

Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED
For World AIDS Day, Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED has introduced its holiday flash collection, including a tuxedo, dress, and fragrances, as well as a pair of bracelets Julia Roberts designed for the Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED collection.
Get your Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED bracelet
Shop the Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED collection

Hallmark (PRODUCT) RED
The latest (RED) partner, Hallmark's (PRODUCT) RED collection includes an inspired line of cards, gifts, flowers and gift wrap, including the INSPI(RED) keepsake holiday ornament. For you early shoppers, Hallmark (PRODUCT) RED holiday boxed cards are now available online at HALLMARK.COM/RED.
See the Hallmark (PRODUCT) RED collection

(PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPods
Give more than music. Choose (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod models and the iTunes (PRODUCT) RED gift card, and Apple gives a portion of the purchase price to fight AIDS in Africa.
Buy (PRODUCT) RED from Apple
Motorola (PRODUCT) RED
Talk (RED) and fight AIDS in Africa with your Motorola (PRODUCT) RED phone, available in Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Get your Motorola (PRODUCT) RED phone

The Killers turn (RED) for Christmas
The Killers have turned their Christmas single "Don't Shoot Me Santa" (RED), with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Global Fund, for investment in African AIDS programs.

Watch The Killers' video on YouTube
Buy the single on iTunes now