HIV Advocates Blog: We Are With You

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS.

HIV positive people have a lot of social stigma attached to them. Shunned by friends, and often even family, they are forced to live in seclusion. The process of informing partners is also daunting, with likely backlash from partners. HIV can drive a person into depression, and it is not easy to get therapy given the high cost of symptomatic and antiretroviral drugs being taken for multiple infections. It is therefore important to let HIV patients know that they are not alone.

  

Granted the stigma is severe, but this does not mean that an HIV patient is any less human than those around him. They need support, from family and from the community, to boost their self-esteem. They still need a job, they still need friends to socialise with - and alienating them will not help them in anyway. Here are things we, as an individual and as a community, can tell HIV positive people.:

1. You are STILL somebody.
2. You accomplish things everyday! Laugh often.
3. Your present is NOT dictated by your past.
4. You deserve to find LOVE.
5. You can STILL have amazing sex.
6. You are NOT what stigma says, EVER.
7. You are better today, than you were yesterday!
8. You are healthy.
9. You WILL live a long life!
10. You are STILL YOU, and don’t let a virus rob you of your identity.

Don’t let a disease dominate your life - live to fight the disease and win.

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS, is the answer. Supported by Levi Strauss Foundation and powered by B-Change Foundation,  HIV Advocates encourages existing and would-be activists to explore the power of social media and other Internet avenues to help spread the message across - that discrimination and stigma no longer have any place in society and that society should accept the LGBT community members as they are.

Share your thoughts on the official HIV Advocates platform. Your voice counts!

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HIV Advocates Supports B-Change

HIV Advocates is an HIV awareness program, which aims to share news, developments, and human rights movements as we battle HIV. We also share HIV success stories, and support various organisations which promote HIV awareness in communities. One of the projects HIV Advocates supports for its outstanding work is B Change.

   

Founded in 2011 by Laurindo Garcia, B Change Group works towards the wellbeing of LGBT community and allies with appropriate technologies. The core activities include collecting data and encourage people to find supportive and inclusive places using mobile apps and digital products. They facilitate community-based organisations and service providers in using technology to project a positive image of the LGBT community to the world. B Change collaborates with organisations across civil society, government and the private sector in creating awareness, gathering data and using technology.

B Change has conducted research and testing to increase the knowledge of people on access to inclusive services. Research findings and inculcated as interventions built upon websites, social media channels and mobile apps. We share our findings and engage decision makers in business, government and civil society advocating for more inclusive societies.Their main areas of expertise are stakeholder engagement, digital product development and research insights.

   

They are working towards elimination of discrimination and social stigma towards the LGBT community, and want to impart a positive change in society based on the values of honesty and cooperation. With a team comprising of fresh graduates, our team members can understand the struggle of helping people navigate to life-saving services that are community-friendly.

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS, is the answer. Supported by Levi Strauss Foundation and powered by B-Change Foundation,  HIV Advocates encourages existing and would-be activists to explore the power of social media and other Internet avenues to help spread the message across - that discrimination and stigma no longer have any place in society and that society should accept the LGBT community members as they are.

Share your thoughts on the official HIV Advocates platform. Your voice counts!

Like HIVAdvocates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIVadvocates  

Follow HIVAdvocates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HIVadvocates

Follow HIVAdvocates on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hivadvocates/  

Or Join us on Sina Weibo: http://weibo.com/hivadvocates

HIV Advocates News: African Women Are Hopeful On the New HIV Protection

HIV Advocates aims to spread awareness about HIV by sharing the latest developments, statistics and sharing success stories of HIV-positive people, who’ve made it through the worst of times and are now leading productive lives.

More than half of the 35 million people living with HIV around the world are women. Most of these women are from the sub-Saharan Africa, where access to quality medical care is a major problem for women As a result, women in Africa do not have the means to protect themselves against HIV. Protection against HIV requires women to use contraceptive methods, which is not acceptable to their male partners, especially in communities with low literacy rates. Hence, despite availability, women are unable to use contraceptive methods which successfully prevent HIV transmission. Similar is the case with PReP pills, a pill taken daily and developed to prevent HIV in high-risk population. But it has shown no effectiveness for African women, because of the social stigma which prevents them from taking the pill daily.

With extensive research being undertaken to develop drugs and barrier methods, researchers are excited at the potential benefits of a newly developed vaginal ring. The big international study on the ring, dubbed the ASPIRE study, began in 2012, and enrolled more than 2,600 HIV-free women ages 18 to 45 across 15 sites in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Discrete, imperceptible to the male partner and only needs to be replaced once every four weeks - the ring is purported to have an effectiveness rate of 61 percent. Researchers are hopeful that this ring will remove the cultural block in African women, and allow them to prevent infection and transmission of HIV.

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS, is the answer. Supported by Levi Strauss Foundation and powered by B-Change Foundation,  HIV Advocates encourages existing and would-be activists to explore the power of social media and other Internet avenues to help spread the message across - that discrimination and stigma no longer have any place in society and that society should accept the LGBT community members as they are.

Share your thoughts on the official HIV Advocates platform. Your voice counts!

Like HIVAdvocates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIVadvocates  

Follow HIVAdvocates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HIVadvocates

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HIV Advocates News: The Quest for an AIDS-Free Generation

HIV Advocates is an HIV awareness program, which aims to share news, developments, and human rights movements as we battle HIV. The recent increase in the incidence of HIV positive cases both within and outside of the United States are alarming, and require immediate intervention, both socially and through pharmaceutical means.

In comparison to last year, the number of reported HIV cases included 50,000 new cases, making it a staggering 1.2 million HIV positive people in the United States. A recent analysis by CDC concurred that African and Latino gay men are most likely to be infected with HIV in their lifetime. We’ve come a long way from 1990’s, and recent pharmaceutical developments have allowed HIV positive people to live longer. There may be multiple infections and the risk of viral activation is always there, but the drugs have allowed HIV positive people to pursue their dreams and careers - a feat not possible before. But that doesn’t mean that HIV is not a threat - it still poses a major threat to individuals living with a heavy viral load, who can transmit it to their partners. Especially in women, in whom HIV infection can result in transmission to the unborn children. Prevention is indeed better than cure, and preventive measures are being implemented in affected communities- but the best preventive measure for previous epidemics has been a vaccine. Infection and transmission of bacterial diseases like Measles, Mumps, Meningitis and even viral diseases like Polio and Rubella has significantly declined due to the development of vaccines. HIV Virus have a lot of genetic variability, so it is a difficult process to make a vaccine which targets all the strains of the virus. But recent advances in genetics have made it possible to isolate a particular strain and make a vaccine. Dedication and funding are key elements in the successful development of a vaccine against HIV. It is the single most important preventive measure which can completely stop the transmission in the younger generation.

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS, is the answer. Supported by Levi Strauss Foundation and powered by B-Change Foundation,  HIV Advocates encourages existing and would-be activists to explore the power of social media and other Internet avenues to help spread the message across - that discrimination and stigma no longer have any place in society and that society should accept the LGBT community members as they are.

Share your thoughts on the official HIV Advocates platform. Your voice counts!

Like HIVAdvocates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIVadvocates  

Follow HIVAdvocates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HIVadvocates

Follow HIVAdvocates on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hivadvocates/  

Or Join us on Sina Weibo: http://weibo.com/hivadvocates

HIV Advocates News: United Nations Member States pledge for an AIDS-Free World by 2030

HIV Advocates aims to spread awareness about HIV by sharing the latest developments, statistics and sharing success stories of HIV-positive people, who’ve made it through the worst of times and are now leading productive lives.

     A United Nations General Assembly meeting was in session on 8th to 10th June 2016. It was termed a High-Level Meeting and the topic on the agenda was Ending AIDS. A Public Declaration was then adopted by the United Nations Member States which includes a set of specific, time-bound targets and actions that have to be achieved by 2020 if we are to strive for an AIDS-Free World by 2030.

The five official panels were under the following themes:

• AIDS within the Sustainable Development Goals: leveraging the end of AIDS for social transformation and sustainable development.
• Financing and sustaining the end of AIDS: the window of opportunity.
• Getting ahead of the looming treatment crisis: an action agenda for getting to 90–90–90.
• Leaving no one behind: ending stigma and discrimination through social justice and inclusive societies.
• Children, adolescent girls and young women: preventing new HIV infections

During the meeting, emphasis was laid on equality and inclusion, and to eliminate discrimination and social stigma associated with the disease. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said "For the first time in history we can say that in Africa there are more people initiating HIV treatment than there are new HIV infections.” - which for Africa is a significant development, acknowledging that the social stigma is declining. Many civil society representatives also shared their success stories of growing up and living with HIV.

   Among the many initiatives announced by many participating states and UN partner organisations, the most significant one was —Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS-Free. This program initiates targets to build on the progress made in eliminating HIV infections in children , adolescents and young women, and was called for by UNAIDS, PEPFAR and partners.

HIV Advocates which is a global initiative that aims to share news, experiences, strategies and new tools that aim to energize human rights movements and communities fighting HIV/AIDS, is the answer. Supported by Levi Strauss Foundation and powered by B-Change Foundation,  HIV Advocates encourages existing and would-be activists to explore the power of social media and other Internet avenues to help spread the message across - that discrimination and stigma no longer have any place in society and that society should accept the LGBT community members as they are.

Share your thoughts on the official HIV Advocates platform. Your voice counts!

Like HIVAdvocates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIVadvocates  

Follow HIVAdvocates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HIVadvocates

Follow HIVAdvocates on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hivadvocates/  

Or Join us on Sina Weibo: http://weibo.com/hivadvocates

Last Few Fathers Day Gift Ideas that are Sure to Please from Iso Fit Hong Kong, Gourmet Skin Bar and Le Luxury

Best Dad’s Gift this Father’s Day: A Better Golf Swing at IsoFit Hong Kong

IsoFit Hong Kong is an all-round studio for your fitness needs. We offer members access to the latest technologies in health and fitness. Walk-in signups are welcome, and we also offer discounts on one day classes. Classes are categorised into different exercise regimens and equipment used, and cater to people from all walks of life.

Is your father an aspiring golfer? Have you accompanied him to many a Sundays where you observed as he tried to improve his swinging technique? Sure you have a good time bonding over sports, but you may have observed backache after a long day at the golf course, or your father may occasionally complain about strain at the back. course. During a round of golf, you have to constantly bend and twist your body in a particular direction. The lumbar and lower back muscles are under the greatest strain, and can become taut and cause pain. Furthermore, continuous swinging of the arms can put your neck, shoulders and arms under a lot of work, and the muscle compartments become prone to tearing or sprain.

A Great Idea for Father's Day—Help Dad Take Care of His Skin, Get Rewards at Gourmet Skin Bar Hong Kong

Gourmet Skin Bar is a one of its kind shop as it harbours brands which work with organic beauty products. Cruelty-free, sustainable yet not compromising on quality, products at Gourmet Skin Bar are your way of showing love and care to your skin. Father's Day is around the corner, and because Dads are notoriously difficult to buy for, it's time to start thinking about Father's Day gifts. Sure, you could get him another tie or some golf balls, but what about something he would never buy for himself? Although many men do care about skincare, they rarely purchase it for themselves. So this Father's Day, give Dad the gift of putting his best face forward. Gourmet Skin Bar have  skincare sets that are perfect for every different type of Dad, whether he's into traveling, shaving, or even tattooing.

   

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Le Luxury takes pride in being an online store offering a wide variety of accessories and gifts for men, women and children. Le Luxury’s products are now offered for purchase and delivery via Ebay, one of the most popular e-stores in the world.

If there is one thing men care about besides their cars and gaming consoles, it is their watches. A branded watch symbolises power, money and success - and which man doesn’t want these qualities to be attributed to him. Furthermore, with sports celebrities like Tennis Champion Roger Federer serving as brand ambassador to Rolex; watches are a man’s way of acceptance into exclusive clubs of the rich and powerful.

    

If your father is a watch geek, look no further for the perfect Father’s Day gift. If he likes watches with a leather strap with dials in bold and sharp colours, you can buy any one the Invicta or Diesel watches available at Le Luxury. If they are someone who wants a sports or a smartwatch which also monitors heart rate, you can choose from Suunto or Polar watches which also come in neon colours.

Hearty Father’s Day with Flodins Asia Omega 3 Pork

If there’s one thing I love its pig meat, there really is nothing better- with a variety of cuts and flavours you’ll find a million recipes to produce perfection. There is nothing quite like the savoury punch that comes with a pork cheek melting in your mouth, or tender loin that your knife slips through like butter. It’s versatile, it’s delicious and it just got better. Thanks to Flodins Omega 3 Pork  is now good for your heart!

The Nordic brand celebrates its farm to fork ethos and in January launched an all new product- Flodins Omega 3 Pork . Four years of research was invested, in Finland, to produce this innovative product with the intention being to produce meat that has a healthier fat composition versus a typical pork product.

How? I hear you ask. To produce Omega-3 pigs they were fed a special diet, no GMO’s, no growth promoters or hormones, just home grown Finnish grain and rapeseed oil seeds, with flashes of peas and broad beans for extra protein. The result was Flodins Omega 3 Pork - tastier, more tender and a softer texture.

Omega 3 has long been lauded as great for your heart, but it has many more health benefits! Omega 3 can help curb the stiffness and joint pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis, it can also improve the symptoms of depression, and can potentially stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia. It can also boost your eye health, as well as boosting brain development of babies in the womb, not to mention the reduction of ADHD symptoms in kids and it fights inflammation which can curb a plethora of symptoms. Omega 3 is also great for fighting auto-immune disease and can even reduce the risk of cancer.

Thankfully, now you won’t have to turn to fish and seeds to have a diet rich in Omega-3, you can turn to Flodins pork, cuts like the tenderloin, the collar, the loin, and the belly, which you will find in restaurants all over Hong Kong, including two Michelin star restaurants.

Maison Eight is the newest partner to join the Flodins Omega 3 Pork  revolution and they are offering up an absolutely tantalizing pork chop with apple and fennel compote in a cider vinegar glaze which is perfect for a Father’s Day meal to thank your dad. While you dine in comfortable luxury with an absolutely stunning view of the city you can let your Dad in on your little secret, that his pork chop isn’t just sumptuous but it’s healthy, too.

It’s such a simple way to repay him for all he’s done for you, looking after his heart health like he’s looked after your heart since birth. To save disappointment you should call ahead to book a table, you don’t want to miss out on this Omega-3 pork chop.

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Cook Healthy Dinner and Taste Flodins Asia Omega 3 Pork on Father’s Day

Flodins Asia has changed the face of pork forever by producing the Flodins Omega 3 Pork and if all you can think about is where you can get your mouth on some then you’re in luck because there are 9 restaurants throughout Hong Kong that have it on their menus (Dining Kitchen & Lounge and the Upper Modern Bistro are both Michelin star restaurants and you can also find Flodins Omega 3 Pork at Picnic on Forbes, George Private Kitchen, Finds, Café Roma, Park Lane Hotel and Plaza Mayor), but forget about them because this Father’s Day you can celebrate at home and make your Dad a healthy meal.

Flodins Asia farm to fork policy ensures that the pork produced is at the highest quality, they work transparently and provide animals with the highest standards of welfare. Finland has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to salmonella and Flodins Asia complies with that as well as exceeding the standards set for Europe for farming. Every farm has its own health care plan which contributes to the success of the high quality of Flodins Omega 3 Pork being produced for Hong Kong’s biggest and best restaurants. So you can have confidence in the cuts you will be working with to surprise your Dad.

So, which cuts are the best? Well, you can choose from the collar, the loin, the belly and the tenderloin.

The collar is great for making a stew, barbecuing and for making pulled pork, so it’s ideal for serving up something your Dad is sure to love.

With the pork belly you can roast it, you can barbecue it or you can cover it in herbs and spices roll it up and cook it like an Italian roast pork.

The loin is very lean and ideal for grilling, without the need to pre-cook- for a larger roast as it can be cooked bone in. It can also be shredded or thinly sliced for stir fry or hot pots.

The tenderloin, the name gives it away it is the most tender cut of the lot. You can grill it, roast it whole or cut it into slices before cooking- personally I love leaving it whole and stuffing it before wrapping it in bacon. You can then serve it with potatoes (your dad’s favourite way) and a vegetable, or salad. While it might not seem as exciting as the pork belly or collar it looks and tastes amazing and looks like something that was full of effort.

The best part of all of these cuts, though, is that they’re full of Flodins Omega 3 Pork and you can pat your dad on the back and let him know that this delicious meal you prepared by hand was made with love and was as healthy as a plate of mackerel.

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