ABOUT THE VIDEO
HIV: Hey, It's Viral! is a 20-minute video available for purchase from Beyondmedia Education addressing HIV/AIDS prevention and activism from youth perspectives.
The HIV: Hey It's Viral! DVD also includes extra bonus features that explain:
- the biology of HIV
- how to use a condom
- how to get tested for HIV
- individual personal stories of young people living with HIV
A Partnership Effort
The idea for HIV: Hey, It's Viral! emerged in 2007 when Beyondmedia Education, About Face Youth Theatre, and the Broadway Youth Center, a program of Howard Brown Health Center, came together and created the HIV: History in Voices project. Twenty-five young people participated in a 10-day multimedia workshop where they learned about the history of the AIDS crisis, HIV/ AIDS activism, and sexual health information about HIV and STDs. The workshop resulted in a short sex ed video and a performance piece about the impact of HIV on their lives.
Needs Identified
One of the most important facts revealed during the workshop was that young people who attended public school were not getting basic information about sexual health or HIV. They weren't receiving the education that could help them make safer choices about sex. The three organizations decided to tackle this issue by creating a program that would bring this kind of education to Chicago public schools. Condom Sense: A Real Life Education is offered to Chicago schools and contains the HIV: Hey, It's Viral! video, an educator's curriculum, a youth activism guide, and a short performance by youth about issues concerning HIV and sex education.
Bringing it to the School System
In the 2009-10 school year, 10 under-resourced Chicago public high schools will receive the entire Condom Sense program free of cost. To bring Condom Sense to your school, or to get a free copy of the DVD and curriculum (Chicago Public high schools only), contact us.