Annie Lennox talks about AIDS activism

Get a Massage/ Fight AIDS

Do you need to relax and unwind? Are you feeling achy? If you answered yes to either of these questions, visit Sean Smedley, owner of Silverside Massage! During the months of April & May, Sean will donate $10.00 to AIDS Delaware for every massage that is booked at regular price. This includes purchases of gift certificates for new clients. For more information and/or to book an appointment visit http://www.silversidemassage.com or call Sean at 302-981-1755.

Red Ribbon Runday (AID's DE)

Join us for THE fashion event of the year! Red Ribbon Runway returns for another catwalk with Delaware's hottest fashionistas! The event features a red carpet arrival, cocktail party, silent auction, and fashion show, highlighting some of the best local salons & fashion houses: Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, Emminence Front Day Spa, Michael Christopher, Sherif Zaki, Morgan's of Delaware Avenue, Mystique Boutique, NV Boutique and W...hite House/Black Market. A new VIP hour will begin at 6:00pm, and the full event starts at 7:00pm.


Saturday, February 26 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Barclay's Bank
125 S. West Street
Wilmington, DE




Tickets for VIP (advance only) are $100/person. General tickets are $70 in advance & $85 at door (all ages). Young Professionals (age 35 & under) can purchase advance tickets for $45. For additional information and to purchase tickets visit www.aidsdelaware.org or call 302.652.6776. Tickets are limited, so purchase them today!

2011 Sponsors: Runway Sponsor - Bank of America; Designer Sponsors - Barclays Bank, The Sallie Mae Fund, and Wilmington Trust Company; Vogue Sponsor - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, First Bank of Delaware, Miller & Shook Cos, and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.; Media Sponsor - Out & About Magazine;Trendy Sponsors - Chelsea Tavern, Crimson Moon Tavern, DJ ZIP, Mood Designer Fabrics, Phengo Photography & Design, and Veritas Wine & Spirits; Fasion Sponsors - Currie Hair Skin Nails, Emminence Front Day Spa, Michael Christopher, Morgan's of Delaware Avenue, Mystique Fashion Boutique, NV Boutique, Sherif Zaki Salon & The Oasis Spa, University of Delaware, and White House / Black Market.

This week in Advance

Tuesday: (2/22)


Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Food Bank of Delaware. Last year, The Food Bank of Delaware hosted more than 15,000 volunteers who donated more than 45,000 hours. This is the equivalent of almost 22 full-time staff members.

Join Delaware Pride as part of our Pride Gives Back program, as we volunteer at the Food Bank of Delaware, all of our volunteer hours are donated to AIDS Delaware to help them with their various programs.

At the Food Bank we do things like sorting food, creating food boxes, stocking their pantry, and many other various things. If it is your first time there, they will go over the basics to get you up and running plus the other volunteers are always willing to lend a hand to help out newcomers.

NOTE: You may get dirty, so please dress accordingly

The Food Bank of Delaware is located at:
14 Garfield Way
Newark, DE 19713

If you have any questions or comments please contact us at:
ContactUs@delawarepride.org


...................................................................

Thursday: (2/24)

Our Night Out presents An LGBT Happy Hour where anyone is welcomed

Toscana (Wilmington) 6:00pm

Promoting a once a month early evening opportunity at various venues for the LGBT community to gather for networking and socializing in the greater Wilmington, DE area. Next Our Night Out is confirmed for next Thursday, February 24, 6-9. See you all there.

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Saturday: (2/26)

AID's DE presents Red Ribbon Runway


Join us for THE fashion event of the year! Red Ribbon Runway returns for another catwalk with Delaware's hottest fashionistas! The event features a red carpet arrival, cocktail party, silent auction, and fashion show, highlighting some of the best local salons & fashion houses: Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, Emminence Front Day Spa, Michael Christopher, Sherif Zaki, Morgan's of Delaware Avenue, Mystique Boutique, NV Boutique and W...hite House/Black Market. A new VIP hour will begin at 6:00pm, and the full event starts at 7:00pm.

Tickets for VIP (advance only) are $100/person. General tickets are $70 in advance & $85 at door (all ages). Young Professionals (age 35 & under) can purchase advance tickets for $45. For additional information and to purchase tickets visit www.aidsdelaware.org or call 302.652.6776. Tickets are limited, so purchase them today!

2011 Sponsors: Runway Sponsor - Bank of America; Designer Sponsors - Barclays Bank, The Sallie Mae Fund, and Wilmington Trust Company; Vogue Sponsor - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, First Bank of Delaware, Miller & Shook Cos, and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.; Media Sponsor - Out & About Magazine;Trendy Sponsors - Chelsea Tavern, Crimson Moon Tavern, DJ ZIP, Mood Designer Fabrics, Phengo Photography & Design, and Veritas Wine & Spirits; Fasion Sponsors - Currie Hair Skin Nails, Emminence Front Day Spa, Michael Christopher, Morgan's of Delaware Avenue, Mystique Fashion Boutique, NV Boutique, Sherif Zaki Salon & The Oasis Spa, University of Delaware, and White House / Black Market.

Delaware HIV Consortium

Hello all,
I just added a new link in the "Chain of Links" at the bottom right, The Delaware HIV Consortium (DelawareHIV.org)


A brief description courtesy of John Hinkson, Communications Coordinator:

The Delaware HIV Consortium is a statewide non-profit agency that works with all of the HIV/AIDS service providers throughout the state to ensure a quality, non-duplicative,continuum of care for the people of Delaware who are infected with HIV/AIDS. We're located in the suite one floor above AIDS Delaware so we partner with them on a lot of programs/activities, such as the AIDS Walk.

We also have a Facebook page (Delaware HIV Consortium) but there's less than 50 people who "like" us. I do try to post news about HIV/AIDS nearly every day on the Facebook page.

Our agency operates that state's only housing assistance program specifically for people with HIV/AIDS, and we have a emergency financial assistance program and provide education programs throughout the year. And, as I said before, we have our own special events throughout the year, in addition to those we participate in like wellness fairs, and HIV testing events.

I know that HIV/AIDS can kind of be a "downer" if it's talked about constantly and some people don't really like to hear about it at all but now and then it is good to remind people to practice safe sex and provide them with info on where to get free HIV testing.

Check them out if you have any further questions or concerns.

The News Journal Recognizes World AIDS Day

News Journal Recognizes World AIDS Day

People may think of AIDS as a disease that strikes only certain groups -- men who have sex with men or people who use intravenous drugs -- but 24 percent of Delawareans living with HIV/AIDS were exposed through heterosexual contact, according to state statistics.



While the largest number of HIV/AIDS cases continue to be diagnosed among African-American men, women are getting infected at increasing rates. In 1990, 24 percent of newly diagnosed AIDS cases were female; in 2008, women accounted for 34 percent of new cases, according to a comprehensive HIV prevention plan developed last year by the Delaware Division of Public Health and the Delaware HIV Consortium.

A Discussion of LGBT Youth Needs

In response to the recent string of suicides by sexual minority teens, and noting an apparent lack of services for this population, AIDS Delaware is hosting a forum to discuss the needs of young LGBT people and available services (and gaps in service) in Delaware. Please join us!

WHAT: A discussion of LGBT Youth needs, services available, and gaps in service

WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, from 10am to 12pm

WHERE: Community Service Building, 100 West 10th Street, Room 6, Wilmington, DE 19801

We recognize that young LGBT people live across the state, and that many service providers from Kent and Sussex Counties may be unable to attend this meeting. If you are a service provider from one of our southern counties and you would like to tell us about a need that you see or a service you provide, please send that information to me and I will be happy to share it. Once we see how this discussion goes, we may host additional sessions in a more centralized location.

PLEASE RSVP to me (email preferred – jklein@aidsdelaware.org) by Monday, October 18th if you plan to attend. Also, please feel free to share this notice with others who may be interested.

Thank you,
John

--
John Klein
Executive Director
AIDS Delaware
100 West 10th Street
Suite 315
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone - (302)652-6776 x206
Fax - (302)652-5150
jklein@aidsdelaware.org

“We are all HIV+” ~Diamanda Galas

Take a Walk on the Wild side (8/8/2010)

BINGO a GO GO

August 8th 2010 (Sunday)
Cranston Heights Firehall

The theme: The Animal Kingdom!!!

woof! grr! meow! cockadoodledoo!

Dates to remember:

Hey all,
I apologize for my negligence to this blog during July, but let me try and make up for lost time with a few dates:


July 25, 2010: DE Pride Organizational Meeting Sussex County (CAMP Rehoboth@ 4:30)
August 22: 2010: Pride Skate (Rust Arena, Newark)
September 18, 2010: Delaware Pride Festival (Cape Henlopen St. Park)
September 28, 2010: AIDS Walk (Wilmington)

Keep your calendars open!!!

Bingo a Go Go ReHoMo

This Saturday May 29, 2010
Rehoboth Convention Center @ 7:00pm

Bingo-A-Go-Go is a joint fundraiser of Delaware Pride, AIDS Delaware, and Rainbow Chorale.

Bingo is held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and the Cranston Heights Firehall in Wilmington. See the location based upon the event date. Doors open at 6:00 PM with the first game called at 7:00 PM. Must be 14 or older to attend bingo. You must be 18 to play. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door (10 Games). Food and Beverages are available during the games. To buy your tickets or for more information call (302) 652-6776. (Visa/Master Card/Am Express & personal checks accepted).

Special Games Package is $8 (5 games, must be purchased before the first game). Individual Special Game is $2

Want to get more involved? We can always use volunteers to help at Bingo selling raffle tickets, game cards and as well as set-up and clean up. If you'd like to help, e-mail us at President@delawarepride.org

Does your business or organization want to sponsor a game? E-mail us at Bingosponsorship@delawarepride.org

Monday night

Join us at The Cube restaurant for "Friends of Dorothy Night"
5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Watch the campy 80's flick MOMMIE DEAREST with your friends while enjoying drink specials and surprises! Ten percent of the bars proceeds will go to AIDS Delaware.


16 Marrows Road, Newark, DE
302. 533. 7178

Upcoming this Saturday....

Upcoming this Saturday, 3 events to be excited over:


1: The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware Presents: Freedom is Coming
Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 8:00pm
First & Central Presbyterian Church
1101 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Tickets are $20 and are now available: 888-512-5093
You many also purchase tickets online, see their website here: Rainbow Chorale of Delaware

2: Coming Out for Music: presented by Haven
Featuring LGBT Artists:
Todd Alsup Band
Pony Pants

Tickets sold at the door!
General Public: $5
UD ID: $3

Lady Gaga Concert Ticket Raffle!
Tickets are $1 each
Free ticket on entry

UD's Trabant Student Center
17 West Main Street
Newark, DE 19711

3: David Bromberg's BIG NOISE
The Light Up The Queen Foundation is proud to announce Bromberg's Big Noise In The Neighborhood presented by AAA, a music festival taking place at Wilmington, Delaware's riverfront on Saturday, May 15th from noon-8PM.

This fundraiser to help rebuild Wilmington's historic Queen Theater will feature some of our nation's finest musicians, led by Wilmington's own legend David Bromberg and his Big Band, and will be broadcast live on Philadelphia-based radio station WXPN, 88.5 FM, home of the nationally-syndicated program "World Cafe."

The "Big Noise" festival is a celebration of local music luminary David Bromberg and all the styles of American music that his playing encompasses: folk, rock, bluegrass and blues to name just a few.

For tickets and more information, please visit the Queen Theater's site here: Light Up the Queen

See you Saturday!!!

Interview with AIDS Delaware

Being that Delaware GLU plans on presenting Delaware's entire LGBT community with its respective news and events, we have a goal to interview the heads of the main LGBT oriented organizations and lgbt-owned businesses to later present you with that information.


This is the first of hopefully many mini-interviews to follow.
Also, to make things easy, everyone is asked the same 5 questions.


This is 5 Questions for AIDS Delaware:

1: Could you describe your position and a provide brief description of AIDS Delaware?

AIDS Delaware is the state's first and largest AIDS service organization. The agency started as an all-volunteer group serving people in the late stages of HIV/AIDS in the mid- to- late 80s. Today, the organization provides prevention services, testing, and case management. As the Executive Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization and work closely with the Board of Directors to plan for the future.

2: What relevance or significance does AIDS DE have to the LGBT community?

HIV/AIDS was first discovered in the gay community. When AIDS Delaware was founded, its name was the Delaware Lesbian and Gay Health Advocates - most of its volunteers with LGBT, as were most of its clients. As the HIV epidemic grew and the virus began attacking other communities, the agency's Board of Directors made the difficult, controversial decision to change the agency's name to AIDS Delaware. The hope was that the new name would be MORE inclusive of all people. The agency has maintained strong ties to the LGBT community continues to advocate for equal rights for everyone.

3: Why did you decide to join AIDS Delaware?

I joined AIDS Delaware as an intern when I was completing my B.S. in Human Services at the University of Delaware. I really wanted to work with LGBT youth, and AIDS Delaware had a group specifically for that population. I quickly took an interest in administration and was fortunate to be offered full-time employment upon graduation. I have been with the agency ever since, holding several administrative positions prior to being promoted to Executive Director in October, 2008.

4: Is there something that the public often misconstrues about AIDS Delaware?

There are two conflicting misconceptions about AIDS Delaware in the public. Many people in the straight community see AIDS Delaware as a "gay" organization. This is based on both the agency's history and the still-strong but totally inaccurate idea that AIDS is gay disease. On the other hand, there are those that in the gay community who feel that agency doesn't do enough for LGBT people, and that the agency has tried to distance itself from the community. In reality, the Board of Directors and I are very committed to providing service for LGBT(QQIAA) people. We're also very committed to halting the spread of HIV in ALL communities.

5: Tell me one thing you know about AIDS DE that I wouldn't be able to find on the website?

AIDS Delaware's website (which we hope to revamp very soon!) does not mention a very recent collaborative effort we are working on. The agency has formed a partnership with Widener University to conduct a needs assessment of the LGBT community. We plan to do this in stages, first examining the needs of LGBT youth, focusing primarily on mental health needs. The results of the assessment will be used to build appropriate programming to address needs.

Thanks so much to John Klein, Executive Director of AIDS Delaware
If you have questions of your own, please visit their website here: AIDS Delaware