Blogs

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the Loveisrespect.org blog. The original post date was April 5, 2016. Read the original post.

Sexual assault is a serious problem, affecting women from all backgrounds every day. Sexual assault often causes terrible physical and emotional pain. People who have been sexually assaulted may experience feelings of guilt or shame, leading them to believe the assault was their fault. This is never the case — sexual assault is a crime. You have the right to decide who can and can't touch you.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the OMH Blog. The original post date was March 29, 2016. Read the original post.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the AIDS.gov blog. The original post date was March 9, 2016. Read the original post.

People LOVE to say, "Oh she is living with HIV." Correction: HIV is living with me. If I were living with HIV, I would live my life by HIV's terms — and I simply cannot do that. I am a Taurus, a bull, so I am stubborn. I am no different when it comes to my diagnosis. What do I mean when I say that HIV is living with me? HIV is like my roommate. We share an apartment, but I have the master suite. Basically, I have chosen to take control of my virus and live every day to the fullest.

Ever heard the phrase “The Best Defense Is a Good Offense”? Sure, it's generally a sports phrase, but why can't it apply to sex, too? If you play or ever played sports, you wouldn't dream of getting in the game without the right equipment — cleats, running shoes, helmets, and pads are all essential to staying safe on the field, court, or track. Well, you need “safety gear” for sex, too!

Hydeia Broadbent was born with HIV, but she wasn't diagnosed until she was 3. At the time, her prognosis was grim, since she had already developed AIDS. Her doctors didn't think she would live to the age of 6. Now 31, Hydeia has become a prominent HIV and AIDS activist, devoting her life to raising awareness and spreading prevention messages.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from TIME. The original post date was February 22, 2016. Read the original post.

Heart disease was never something I worried about. I know it's the number one killer of women, but I've always done everything "right." I exercise regularly. I maintain a healthy weight. My numbers are good, so I don't have high cholesterol or hypertension. But I do have one risk factor — my father has a history of coronary heart disease.