Impulse Group South Florida, a non-profit organization that focuses on the health of the gay community in the region (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties) takes the HIV/AIDS epidemic very seriously.
The group is dedicated to educating about HIV, especially in areas and with groups where new infections continue to rise.
Besides the educational component, Impulse encourages HIV prevention by facilitating testing opportunities, providing condoms and other materials for safe or safer sex. The group also provides resources for those who learn they are HIV positive.
They have good reason for their resolve. The statistics for South Florida and HIV/AIDS bear out negatively for the region:
- As of January 31, 2014 Miami-Dade County ranks #1 in the state of Florida for number of new HIV cases and AIDS cases. There are 27,035 people living with HIV/AIDS in Miami-Dade County.
- As of January 31, 2014 Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale) ranks #2 in the state of Florida for the number of new HIV cases and AIDS cases. There are 17,632 people living with HIV/AIDS in Broward County.
- The State of Florida ranks number three in the nation in the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections as of 2011 and is second in the Nation for the number of AIDS cases reported.
- MSM contact accounts for 47.5 percent of living HIV cases in Miami-Dade County.
- MSM contact accounts for 61 percent of living HIV cases in Broward County among males.
- Heterosexual contact accounts for 70 percent of living HIV cases in Broward County among females.
As a part of their 2015 South Florida awareness campaign, the group highlighted important facts through a sexy and provocative photo shoot named, "Expose the Truth," which is shown below.
Gustavo Morán, advocacy director for the Impulse Group South Florida, says that "The images you are about to see represent the key messages that Impulse Group South Florida have selected to use as our primary marketing for the Spring 2015 through Winter 2016 season."
The campaign's models were chosen from a cross section of young men living in South Florida's LGBT community.
Morán says, via email, that "Impulse Group South Florida hopes individuals will not only find the images powerful, provocative and stirring but also asks that you interpret the images based on your own reality."
At the end of the day, Morán said, the message the Impulse Group sends through this campaign is only effective if those most at risk take a deep, introspective look at themselves.
"Read our messaging, absorb the advocacy behind it but apply your truths to what you're seeing, let your guard down, search your soul, evaluate your personal life decisions and be open to re-imagining your lifestyle," he said.
Impulse Group South Florida Ad Campaign 2015
Poz and Clean(01 of10)
Open Image ModalBeing HIV positive does not make you dirty. The use of the word clean implies judgement and stigma. Don't be afraid to ask him his status. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Affected and reckless: you're not just hurting yourself(02 of10)
Open Image ModalWith 11 million people in the US living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 6 are unaware they even have it. The misconception is that HIV / AIDS is a thing of the pat and doesn't affect the current young gay male populations. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Educated and protected: Condoms aren't your only option(03 of10)
Open Image ModalA condom is only the most common and traditional method. Serosorting, PrEP and strategic position are all ways to protect yourself. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Tested and unsure: results aren't a free pass(04 of10)
Open Image ModalGetting a negative test result is not a guarantee that you're negative and it can task up to 3 months (or longer) for antibodies to present themselves.Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Undetectable and responsible: he's taking accountability(05 of10)
Open Image ModalOne in 4 HIV positive people in the US are undetectable. If he's actually undetectable his health is truly part of his lifestyle. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
One pill and another: the party's over(06 of10)
Open Image ModalTaking a drug to party is not the same as taking a drug to save your life. Drugs impair your judgement and can lead to HIV. The only method of HIV suppression is taking antiretrovirals. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
On drugs and in control: lost in a haze(07 of10)
Open Image ModalUsing impairs your judgement and makes it easy to get caught up in the fun. Don't allow yourself to lose control. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Assume and risk: ask the hard questions(08 of10)
Open Image ModalAssuming that someone is negative just because they told you so is one of the riskiest things you can do when engaging in se with hopes of not contracting HIV. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
His gun and your trigger: who will take the blow(09 of10)
Open Image ModalHow many loads are you going to allow yourself to take before it's too late.Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
Neg and untested: get the real facts(10 of10)
Open Image ModalSaying you are HIV negative when you've never been tested or do not test regularly is dangerous and risky. Photo credit: Adrian Vargas
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