Yesterday, I went and did something that for the last 4 years or so has been very normal for me: I went and got tested for HIV. I've done this twice a year since I was 18 and living on my own(not having to hide the fact that I was sexually active from an overly-judgmental mother and an overly-protective brother..lol) Getting tested for H.I.V. is something I do for MYSELF....everytime I go, I already know what the results will be, but going and getting tested gives me the reassurance I crave from time to time, and every time my results come back NEGATIVE, I thank God for giving me the wisdom to protect myself,the STRENGTH to speak up in situations that I am not comfortable in and NEVER let anything happen(sexually) that I am not comfortable with.The AIDS epidemic is just that:an EPIDEMIC that is killing people,every race.creed,color,sex,age,ect. AIDS is a disease that has NO FACE....when we think of AIDS,we think of someone who LOOKS sick...that isn't always the case....MANY people carry this disease for YEARS and never know it....I think THAT is what scares me most and THAT is what keeps me going and getting tested twice a year, EVERY year, even though, according to my dr. Im "Low-Risk" (they determine this by your lifestyle) Whats more, AIDS is affecting AFRICAN AMERICAN women and showing NO MERCY.I REFUSE to be a part of this epidemic....I REFUSE. I've seen the affects DIRECTLY....I had an uncle die of AIDS. I think it's important for us to protect ourselves and help in stopping the spread of this deadly disease....it's simple; if you have sex, protect yourself...thats it.AIDS has NO face and unless you and your partner are BOTH tested and the results come back negative and u SEE the results for yourself, you don't really know WHO you are having sex with or WHAT kind of risk you are taking.....Think about it and know your worth. Don't cut out years of your life for a few minutes of pleasuer...it's not worth it...it's not worth your life. Protect yourselves and GET TESTED....when you know that you have a Negative status, something inside you desires to KEEP it that way...for me at least.

Here are a few links about AIDS as a disease AND as an EPIDEMIC. Educate yourselves AND eachother.
http://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art17002.html http://www.avert.org/usa-states-cities.htm http://www.caresclinic.org/hiv/aids/california-hivaids-statistics.html