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THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE AT
GMHC LAUNCHES NEW AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN OF COLOR
AT BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL
New York, NY — Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
welcomed The Women's Institute at Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)
for the launch of a new AIDS awareness campaign for women of color.
The campaign, consisting of posters at subway entrances in some
of the Brooklyn neighborhoods with the highest rates of HIV infection
among women of color, and postcards for distribution throughout
New York City, feature the images of three women and the tagline: "AIDS.
Protect yourself. Protect each other. We can help." (To
see the campaign, click here)
"We are proud to join with GMHC to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS infection
rates," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "Central
Brooklyn is in a state of emergency, and our office will continue
the fight to end the personal and government complacency that give
rise to infection."
"This campaign marks an important milestone during the 25th anniversary
of the AIDS epidemic and the founding of GMHC," said Marjorie J.
Hill, Interim Executive Director of GMHC. "With women of color
increasingly at risk for HIV infection, this campaign provides
us with an opportunity to promote AIDS awareness and foster a sense
of community, with information that empowers women. Our work is
strengthened by the relationships we have with other organizations
that serve women in Central Brooklyn, as well the support of the
Brooklyn Borough President's Office."
The campaign aims to create visibility of HIV/AIDS as an issue
affecting women and reinforce awareness of the existence of the
Women's Institute and local community partners. The campaign is
linked to the HIV prevention outreach and safer sex education work
of the Institute's peer educators in local community venues, specifically
hair salons and laundromats in Brooklyn.
According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, Brooklyn had the highest AIDS death rate in the city in
2004. Within the borough, Central Brooklyn is the epicenter of
the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an AIDS death rate over two times higher
than the city's overall AIDS death rate. Recent NYC Department
of Health data also indicate that women of color comprise 95% of
new HIV infections among women.
The campaign was funded by the New York City Council through the
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and designed
by Cabra Diseño, San Francisco, with input from the peer
educators and members of the community.
The Women's Institute at
GMHC was created to address the increasing spread of HIV among
women of color in New York City and beyond. Its mission is to develop,
promote, model and share HIV prevention and service programs that
are practical, effective, and accessible. The Women's Institute
seeks to empower women affected and infected by HIV and AIDS to
protect themselves and to take charge of their futures.
* * *
GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based
organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.
GMHC provides services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families
that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City. For more
information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2006 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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